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The Earth Trembled
The Earth Trembled

Chapter II

Cover illustration for The Earth Trembled
Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.
In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.
She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.
Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.
She had always been so emphatically the master of the house and the head of the family, that her husband went by the name of "Uncle Sheba."
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Earth Trembled

Chapter II

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.
Line 2
In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.
Line 3
She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.
Line 4
Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.
Line 5
She had always been so emphatically the master of the house and the head of the family, that her husband went by the name of "Uncle Sheba."

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.”

Although noun US /ˈalthough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “She had always been so emphatically the master of the house and the head of the family, that her husband went by the name of "Uncle Sheba."”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had always been so emphatically the master of the house and the head of the family, that her husband went by the name of "Uncle Sheba."”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had always been so emphatically the master of the house and the head of the family, that her husband went by the name of "Uncle Sheba."”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.”

All words in this reading · 105

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1886

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

age

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

alley

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

AlthoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

always

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She had always been so emphatically the master of the house and the head of the family, that her husband went by the name of "Uncle Sheba."

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

articles

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

Aun

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She had always been so emphatically the master of the house and the head of the family, that her husband went by the name of "Uncle Sheba."

bread

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

cabin

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

cakes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

called

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

chances

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

chapter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

character

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

Charleston

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

city

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

colored

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

discovered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

dwelling

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

earns

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

elapsed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

emphatically

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She had always been so emphatically the master of the house and the head of the family, that her husband went by the name of "Uncle Sheba."

enabled

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

events

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

EXPERIENCE

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

facing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

familiarly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

family

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She had always been so emphatically the master of the house and the head of the family, that her husband went by the name of "Uncle Sheba."

fire

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

fruits

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

head

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She had always been so emphatically the master of the house and the head of the family, that her husband went by the name of "Uncle Sheba."

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

hit

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

house

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She had always been so emphatically the master of the house and the head of the family, that her husband went by the name of "Uncle Sheba."

husband

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

light

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

Many

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

master

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She had always been so emphatically the master of the house and the head of the family, that her husband went by the name of "Uncle Sheba."

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

mercantile

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

more

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She had always been so emphatically the master of the house and the head of the family, that her husband went by the name of "Uncle Sheba."

narrated

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

native

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

obscure

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

occurred

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

other

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

principles

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

profit

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

progresses

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

pursuits

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

reader

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

received

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

rotund

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

scarcely

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

selling

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

Sheba

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

SHEBA'S

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

shrewdness

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

sitting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

small

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She had always been so emphatically the master of the house and the head of the family, that her husband went by the name of "Uncle Sheba."

story

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

street

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

success

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

taken

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She had always been so emphatically the master of the house and the head of the family, that her husband went by the name of "Uncle Sheba."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

thread

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

training

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

uncertain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

UNCLE

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

vended

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.

well-known

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She had always been so emphatically the master of the house and the head of the family, that her husband went by the name of "Uncle Sheba."

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading She is a well-known character in the city, for she earns her bread by selling cakes, fruits, and other light articles which may be vended in the street with chances of profit.

winter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

woman

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In a small dwelling, scarcely more than a cabin, and facing on an obscure alley in Charleston, a rotund colored woman of uncertain age is sitting by the fire with her husband.

years

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading UNCLE SHEBA'S EXPERIENCE Many years have elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter occurred, and the thread of story is taken up again in the winter of 1886.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Although "Aun' Sheba," as she was familiarly called, had received no training for mercantile pursuits, yet her native shrewdness had enabled her to hit upon the principles of success, as may be discovered by the reader as the story progresses.