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 The colony had now reached a point when it became necessary to proceed with method and caution.
absolutely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The colony had now reached a point when it became necessary to proceed with method and caution.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "You have said they are men; As such their hearts are something."
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "You have said they are men; As such their hearts are something."
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colony had now reached a point when it became necessary to proceed with method and caution.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
Byron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Byron.
caution
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colony had now reached a point when it became necessary to proceed with method and caution.
cavil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
Certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
change
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
colony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colony had now reached a point when it became necessary to proceed with method and caution.
defend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
dispose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
established
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
fond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
fully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
governor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The colony had now reached a point when it became necessary to proceed with method and caution.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "You have said they are men; As such their hearts are something."
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
hearts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You have said they are men; As such their hearts are something."
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
ideas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
importance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
interests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The colony had now reached a point when it became necessary to proceed with method and caution.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You have said they are men; As such their hearts are something."
method
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colony had now reached a point when it became necessary to proceed with method and caution.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colony had now reached a point when it became necessary to proceed with method and caution.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
notions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colony had now reached a point when it became necessary to proceed with method and caution.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
oppose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
permanency
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
permit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading The colony had now reached a point when it became necessary to proceed with method and caution.
prepared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
prevailed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
principles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
proceed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colony had now reached a point when it became necessary to proceed with method and caution.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colony had now reached a point when it became necessary to proceed with method and caution.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
reflected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You have said they are men; As such their hearts are something."
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "You have said they are men; As such their hearts are something."
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "You have said they are men; As such their hearts are something."
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The colony had now reached a point when it became necessary to proceed with method and caution.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "You have said they are men; As such their hearts are something."
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "You have said they are men; As such their hearts are something."
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The colony had now reached a point when it became necessary to proceed with method and caution.
unfrequently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
unsettle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
virtuenounUS /ˈvɝː.tʃuː/
Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
wayward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men are fond of change; half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of their virtue in their permanency.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The colony had now reached a point when it became necessary to proceed with method and caution.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Certain great principles were to be established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The colony had now reached a point when it became necessary to proceed with method and caution.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You have said they are men; As such their hearts are something."
