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.
acquaintancenounUS /əˈkweɪntəns/
personal knowledge or information about someone 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!”
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
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!”
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
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!
bricksnounUS /brɪks/
plural of “brick” — rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material
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!
callverbUS /kɔːl/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading The soul needs air; a wide sweep and frequent change of it.
clearverbUS /klɪr/
rid of obstructions
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
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Would you not?” exclaimed Clifford, with singular energy.
Clifford's
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!”
consolidatedadjectiveUS /kənˈsɑːlədeɪtəd/
joined together into a whole
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!
contriveverbUS /kənˈtraɪv/
make or work out a plan for; devise
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!
energynounUS /ˈenərdʒi/
(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading “Would you not?” exclaimed Clifford, with singular energy.
everywhereadverbUS /ˈevriwer/
to or in any or all places
From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
exclaimedverbUS /ɪkˈskleɪmd/
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading “Would you not?” exclaimed Clifford, with singular energy.
fastenedadjectiveUS /ˈfæsənd/
firmly closed or secured
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!
frequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading The soul needs air; a wide sweep and frequent change of it.
gatherverbUS /ˈɡæðər/
assemble or get together
From this reading Morbid influences, in a thousand-fold variety, gather about hearths, and pollute the life of households.
greatestadjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtəst/
highest in quality
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!
happinessnounUS /ˈhæpinəs/
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
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!
heapsnounUS /hiːps/
a large number or amount
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!
hearthsnounUS /hɑːrθs/
plural of “hearth” — an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading Morbid influences, in a thousand-fold variety, gather about hearths, and pollute the life of households.
hewnadjectiveUS /hjuːn/
cut or shaped with hard blows of a heavy cutting instrument like an ax or chisel
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!
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
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!
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
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!
householdsnounUS /ˈhaʊshoʊldz/
plural of “household” — a social unit living together
From this reading Morbid influences, in a thousand-fold variety, gather about hearths, and pollute the life of households.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
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!”
improvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvd/
made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing
From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
improvementnounUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvmənt/
a change for the better; progress in development
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!
influencesnounUS /ˈɪnfluːənsɪz/
plural of “influence” — a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
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 /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Morbid influences, in a thousand-fold variety, gather about hearths, and pollute the life of households.
liveverbUS /laɪv/
be an inhabitant of or reside in
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!
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
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!
MorbidadjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrbəd/
suggesting an unhealthy mental state
From this reading Morbid influences, in a thousand-fold variety, gather about hearths, and pollute the life of households.
mortarnounUS /ˈmɔːrtər/
a muzzle-loading high-angle gun with a short barrel that fires shells at high elevations for a short range
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!
needsadverbUS /niːdz/
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading The soul needs air; a wide sweep and frequent change of it.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
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.
nowherenounUS /ˈnoʊwer/
an insignificant place
From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
observedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvd/
discovered or determined by scientific observation
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!
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
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!
painfullyadverbUS /ˈpeɪnfəli/
unpleasantly
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!
pathnounUS /pæθ/
a course of conduct
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!
polluteverbUS /pəˈluːt/
make impure
From this reading Morbid influences, in a thousand-fold variety, gather about hearths, and pollute the life of households.
possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/
capable of happening or existing
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!
scarcelyadverbUS /ˈskersli/
only a very short time before
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!”
singularadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡjələr/
unusual or striking
From this reading “Would you not?” exclaimed Clifford, with singular energy.
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
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!
soulnounUS /soʊl/
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
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!
statenounUS /steɪt/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
stonesnounUS /stoʊnz/
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
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!
sunshinenounUS /ˈsʌnʃaɪn/
the rays of the sun
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!
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
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!
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
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!
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading “I should scarcely call it an improved state of things,” observed Clifford’s new acquaintance, “to live everywhere and nowhere!”
thousand-foldadverb
by three orders of magnitude
From this reading Morbid influences, in a thousand-fold variety, gather about hearths, and pollute the life of households.
timbernounUS /ˈtɪmbər/
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
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!”
togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/
in contact with each other or in proximity
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!
tormentnounUS /ˈtɔːrment/
unbearable physical pain
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!
varietynounUS /vərˈaɪəti/
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
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!
wideadjectiveUS /waɪd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
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.
