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 soul needs air; a wide sweep and frequent change of it.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Morbid influences, in a thousand-fold variety, gather about hearths, and pollute the life of households.
acquaintance
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From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
air
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From this reading The soul needs air; a wide sweep and frequent change of it.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
any
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From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
bricks
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From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
call
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From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
change
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From this reading The soul needs air; a wide sweep and frequent change of it.
clear
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From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
Clifford
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From this reading “Would you not?” exclaimed Clifford, with singular energy.
Clifford's
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From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
consolidated
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From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
contrive
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From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
energy
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From this reading “Would you not?” exclaimed Clifford, with singular energy.
everywhere
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From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
exclaimed
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From this reading “Would you not?” exclaimed Clifford, with singular energy.
fastened
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From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
frequent
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From this reading The soul needs air; a wide sweep and frequent change of it.
gather
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From this reading Morbid influences, in a thousand-fold variety, gather about hearths, and pollute the life of households.
greatest
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From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
happiness
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From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
heaps
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From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
hearths
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From this reading Morbid influences, in a thousand-fold variety, gather about hearths, and pollute the life of households.
hewn
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From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
households
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From this reading Morbid influences, in a thousand-fold variety, gather about hearths, and pollute the life of households.
human
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From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
improved
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From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
improvement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
influences
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From this reading Morbid influences, in a thousand-fold variety, gather about hearths, and pollute the life of households.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Morbid influences, in a thousand-fold variety, gather about hearths, and pollute the life of households.
live
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From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
men
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From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
Morbid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Morbid influences, in a thousand-fold variety, gather about hearths, and pollute the life of households.
mortar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
needs
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From this reading The soul needs air; a wide sweep and frequent change of it.
new
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From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Would you not?” exclaimed Clifford, with singular energy.
nowhere
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From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
observed
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From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
painfully
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From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
path
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
pollute
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From this reading Morbid influences, in a thousand-fold variety, gather about hearths, and pollute the life of households.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
scarcely
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From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
singular
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From this reading “Would you not?” exclaimed Clifford, with singular energy.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
soul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The soul needs air; a wide sweep and frequent change of it.
spike-nails
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
stones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
stumbling-blocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
sunshine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
sweep
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From this reading The soul needs air; a wide sweep and frequent change of it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
there
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From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
things
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From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
thousand-fold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Morbid influences, in a thousand-fold variety, gather about hearths, and pollute the life of households.
timber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
torment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
variety
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From this reading Morbid influences, in a thousand-fold variety, gather about hearths, and pollute the life of households.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “It is as clear to me as sunshine,—were there any in the sky,—that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are these heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive for their own torment, and call them house and home!
wide
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From this reading The soul needs air; a wide sweep and frequent change of it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Would you not?” exclaimed Clifford, with singular energy.
Wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “Would you not?” exclaimed Clifford, with singular energy.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Would you not?” exclaimed Clifford, with singular energy.
