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 _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
amazement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
bached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy had "bached" a great deal, but he had never blacked a stove in his life.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
Billy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
blacked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy had "bached" a great deal, but he had never blacked a stove in his life.
blacken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
blinking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
Boyle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
bright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Billy had "bached" a great deal, but he had never blacked a stove in his life.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
Canned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
caught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
change
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
Charming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
crowning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he had left it as a crowning embellishment, rather than making it the foundation of his house-cleaning, only proved his inexperience in that line.
deal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy had "bached" a great deal, but he had never blacked a stove in his life.
digging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
dishes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
domestic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
Double-Crank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
embellishment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he had left it as a crowning embellishment, rather than making it the foundation of his house-cleaning, only proved his inexperience in that line.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
fingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
finished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
foreman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
foundation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he had left it as a crowning embellishment, rather than making it the foundation of his house-cleaning, only proved his inexperience in that line.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
gazed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
gloved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Billy had "bached" a great deal, but he had never blacked a stove in his life.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That he had left it as a crowning embellishment, rather than making it the foundation of his house-cleaning, only proved his inexperience in that line.
house-cleaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he had left it as a crowning embellishment, rather than making it the foundation of his house-cleaning, only proved his inexperience in that line.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
inexperience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he had left it as a crowning embellishment, rather than making it the foundation of his house-cleaning, only proved his inexperience in that line.
instincts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
intending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
kick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Billy had "bached" a great deal, but he had never blacked a stove in his life.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he had left it as a crowning embellishment, rather than making it the foundation of his house-cleaning, only proved his inexperience in that line.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he had left it as a crowning embellishment, rather than making it the foundation of his house-cleaning, only proved his inexperience in that line.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Billy had "bached" a great deal, but he had never blacked a stove in his life.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he had left it as a crowning embellishment, rather than making it the foundation of his house-cleaning, only proved his inexperience in that line.
opportunity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
package
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
predecessor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
proved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he had left it as a crowning embellishment, rather than making it the foundation of his house-cleaning, only proved his inexperience in that line.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he had left it as a crowning embellishment, rather than making it the foundation of his house-cleaning, only proved his inexperience in that line.
Rising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
sardine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
Some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
stove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
stove-blacking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
Sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading That he had left it as a crowning embellishment, rather than making it the foundation of his house-cleaning, only proved his inexperience in that line.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That he had left it as a crowning embellishment, rather than making it the foundation of his house-cleaning, only proved his inexperience in that line.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
throes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
top-hands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the dim light before night or sunrise
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Some predecessor with domestic instincts had left behind him half a package of "Rising Sun," and Billy had found it and was intending to blacken the stove just as soon as he finished the dishes.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading _Canned._ The foreman came in, blinking at the sudden change from bright light to half twilight, and Charming Billy took the opportunity to kick a sardine can of stove-blacking under the stove where it would not be seen.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foreman passed gloved fingers over his eyes, held them there a moment, took them away and gazed in amazement; since he had been foreman of the Double-Crank--and the years were many--Charming Billy Boyle had been one of its "top-hands," and he had never before caught him in the throes of "digging out."
