adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That Murray Bradshaw thought he was inflicting a deadly injury on her was plain enough.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
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 Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
authornounUS /ˈɔːθər/
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
awhileadverbUS /əˈwaɪl/
for a short time
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
bachelorsnounUS /ˈbætʃlərz/
plural of “bachelor” — a man who has never been married
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading That Master Gridley did succeed in convincing her that no great harm had probably been done her is equally certain.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
Bradshaw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Murray Bradshaw thought he was inflicting a deadly injury on her was plain enough.
breakfastverbUS /ˈbrekfəst/
eat an early morning meal
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
Byles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
calmverbUS /kɑːm/
make calm or still
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
casenounUS /keɪs/
an occurrence of something
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading That Master Gridley did succeed in convincing her that no great harm had probably been done her is equally certain.
convincingadjectiveUS /kənˈvɪnsɪŋ/
causing one to believe the truth of something
From this reading That Master Gridley did succeed in convincing her that no great harm had probably been done her is equally certain.
convulsionnounUS /kənˈvʌlʃən/
a sudden uncontrollable attack
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
deadlyadjectiveUS /ˈdedli/
causing or capable of causing death
From this reading That Murray Bradshaw thought he was inflicting a deadly injury on her was plain enough.
derangeverbUS /dɪˈreɪndʒ/
derange mentally, throw out of mental balance; make insane
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading That Master Gridley did succeed in convincing her that no great harm had probably been done her is equally certain.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading That Master Gridley did succeed in convincing her that no great harm had probably been done her is equally certain.
drovenounUS /droʊv/
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
easeverbUS /iːz/
move gently or carefully
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading That Murray Bradshaw thought he was inflicting a deadly injury on her was plain enough.
equallyadverbUS /ˈiːkwəli/
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading That Master Gridley did succeed in convincing her that no great harm had probably been done her is equally certain.
excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
creating or arousing excitement
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading That Master Gridley did succeed in convincing her that no great harm had probably been done her is equally certain.
Gridley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
habitsnounUS /ˈhæbəts/
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That Master Gridley did succeed in convincing her that no great harm had probably been done her is equally certain.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
harmnounUS /hɑːrm/
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading That Master Gridley did succeed in convincing her that no great harm had probably been done her is equally certain.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
HazardnounUS /ˈhæzərd/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That Murray Bradshaw thought he was inflicting a deadly injury on her was plain enough.
helpverbUS /help/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That Master Gridley did succeed in convincing her that no great harm had probably been done her is equally certain.
inflictingverbUS /ˌɪnˈflɪktɪŋ/
-ing form of “inflict” — impose something unpleasant
From this reading That Murray Bradshaw thought he was inflicting a deadly injury on her was plain enough.
injurynounUS /ˈɪndʒəri/
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading That Murray Bradshaw thought he was inflicting a deadly injury on her was plain enough.
instinctnounUS /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That Master Gridley did succeed in convincing her that no great harm had probably been done her is equally certain.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
LikeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
livedverbUS /lɪvd/
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
lonelyadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnli/
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
lovedadjectiveUS /lʌvd/
held dear
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
MasternounUS /ˈmæstər/
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
MurraynounUS /ˈmɜːri/
British classical scholar (born in Australia) who advocated the League of Nations and the United Nations (1866-1957)
From this reading That Murray Bradshaw thought he was inflicting a deadly injury on her was plain enough.
MyrtlenounUS /ˈmɜːrtəl/
widely cultivated as a groundcover for its dark green shiny leaves and usually blue-violet flowers
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
neglectedadjectiveUS /nəˈɡlektəd/
disregarded
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading That Master Gridley did succeed in convincing her that no great harm had probably been done her is equally certain.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading That Murray Bradshaw thought he was inflicting a deadly injury on her was plain enough.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
plainadjectiveUS /pleɪn/
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading That Murray Bradshaw thought he was inflicting a deadly injury on her was plain enough.
pleasantadjectiveUS /ˈplezənt/
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
possiblyadverbUS /ˈpɑːsəbli/
by chance
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
probablyadverbUS /ˈprɑːbəbliː/
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading That Master Gridley did succeed in convincing her that no great harm had probably been done her is equally certain.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
readersnounUS /ˈriːdərz/
plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
recalledverbUS /rɪˈkɔːld/
past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
scenenounUS /siːn/
the place where some action occurs
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
servedverbUS /sɜːrvd/
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
somebodypronounUS /ˈsʌmbɑːdi/
a person, without saying who
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
succeedverbUS /səkˈsiːd/
attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading That Master Gridley did succeed in convincing her that no great harm had probably been done her is equally certain.
terrestrialadjectiveUS /tərˈestriəl/
of or relating to or inhabiting the land as opposed to the sea or air
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading That Murray Bradshaw thought he was inflicting a deadly injury on her was plain enough.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
troublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/
a source of difficulty
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That Murray Bradshaw thought he was inflicting a deadly injury on her was plain enough.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion--or perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody in trouble--could possibly derange.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading After his breakfast, he always sat and read awhile,--the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some pleasant old author,--if a little neglected by the world of readers, he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better.