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 members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
absorbent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
account
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
admirably
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From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
affairs
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From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Lorne was thus an atom in the surge of London.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
appeared
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From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
atom
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From this reading Lorne was thus an atom in the surge of London.
atoms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
bus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
class
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
Cruickshank's
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From this reading In these respects, no less than in the others, he justified Mr Cruickshank’s selection.
defeated
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From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
deputation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
drivers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
exerting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
generally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In these respects, no less than in the others, he justified Mr Cruickshank’s selection.
hid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
hitheradverbUS /ˈhɪðər/
an old word meaning “to this place”
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
hotel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
idiom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
importance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Lorne was thus an atom in the surge of London.
influence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
initiative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
international
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
justified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In these respects, no less than in the others, he justified Mr Cruickshank’s selection.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lorne was thus an atom in the surge of London.
Lorne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lorne was thus an atom in the surge of London.
members
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
mostly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In these respects, no less than in the others, he justified Mr Cruickshank’s selection.
naturally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
obscurely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Lorne was thus an atom in the surge of London.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
omnibuses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In these respects, no less than in the others, he justified Mr Cruickshank’s selection.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
progressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
receptive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
repeat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
replies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
respects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In these respects, no less than in the others, he justified Mr Cruickshank’s selection.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
secretary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
selection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In these respects, no less than in the others, he justified Mr Cruickshank’s selection.
silent
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From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
surge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lorne was thus an atom in the surge of London.
surly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
temperance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In these respects, no less than in the others, he justified Mr Cruickshank’s selection.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Lorne was thus an atom in the surge of London.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading In these respects, no less than in the others, he justified Mr Cruickshank’s selection.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
thick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
thitheradverbUS /ˈðɪθɜːr/
an old word meaning “to that place”
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lorne was thus an atom in the surge of London.
tide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
tops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
try
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
twice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
unobtrusively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The members of the deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that was taken account of.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Lorne was thus an atom in the surge of London.
washed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did his work as unobtrusively as he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, receptive, absorbent, mostly silent.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading He did try once or twice to talk to the bus drivers--he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them too often to repeat their replies.
