Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
accusation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
acridadjectiveUS /ˈæk.rɪd/
Having an unpleasantly bitter or pungent taste or smell.
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading What Harlan recognized as possibly nearest the truth among his grandmother’s unfavourable implications was what hurt him the least.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading He thought ruefully of the ancient popular notion that such stingings come from only the unpleasant truth.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
brother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He thought ruefully of the ancient popular notion that such stingings come from only the unpleasant truth.
deep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
fail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
fall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
grandmother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What Harlan recognized as possibly nearest the truth among his grandmother’s unfavourable implications was what hurt him the least.
grandson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
HADauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
Harlan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What Harlan recognized as possibly nearest the truth among his grandmother’s unfavourable implications was what hurt him the least.
HEpronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
homeward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
hurt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What Harlan recognized as possibly nearest the truth among his grandmother’s unfavourable implications was what hurt him the least.
hurts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
implications
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What Harlan recognized as possibly nearest the truth among his grandmother’s unfavourable implications was what hurt him the least.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
insult
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading What Harlan recognized as possibly nearest the truth among his grandmother’s unfavourable implications was what hurt him the least.
Martha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
nearest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What Harlan recognized as possibly nearest the truth among his grandmother’s unfavourable implications was what hurt him the least.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
notion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought ruefully of the ancient popular notion that such stingings come from only the unpleasant truth.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought ruefully of the ancient popular notion that such stingings come from only the unpleasant truth.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
painlessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
popular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought ruefully of the ancient popular notion that such stingings come from only the unpleasant truth.
possibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What Harlan recognized as possibly nearest the truth among his grandmother’s unfavourable implications was what hurt him the least.
pride
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
rankle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
recognized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What Harlan recognized as possibly nearest the truth among his grandmother’s unfavourable implications was what hurt him the least.
repeatednounUS /repeated/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
repetition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
righteous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
ruefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought ruefully of the ancient popular notion that such stingings come from only the unpleasant truth.
Savage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
Savage's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
Shelby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
slashing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
stingings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought ruefully of the ancient popular notion that such stingings come from only the unpleasant truth.
strode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
stung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
supplant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He thought ruefully of the ancient popular notion that such stingings come from only the unpleasant truth.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought ruefully of the ancient popular notion that such stingings come from only the unpleasant truth.
understanding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
unfavourable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What Harlan recognized as possibly nearest the truth among his grandmother’s unfavourable implications was what hurt him the least.
unpleasant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought ruefully of the ancient popular notion that such stingings come from only the unpleasant truth.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
warnings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Savage had been far from understanding her grandson’s deep pride, and, as he strode homeward in the slashing rain, her acrid warnings that he must not hope for anything from Martha repeated themselves over and over in his mind, as such things will, and upon each repetition stung the more.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What Harlan recognized as possibly nearest the truth among his grandmother’s unfavourable implications was what hurt him the least.
well-founded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It hurts him because it’s true,” people say, sometimes, as if mere insult must ever fail to rankle, and all accusation not well-founded fall but painlessly upon the righteous.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What Harlan recognized as possibly nearest the truth among his grandmother’s unfavourable implications was what hurt him the least.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HE HAD no wish to supplant his brother in Mrs. Savage’s will or in anything;—last of all did he wish to supplant him in the heart of Martha Shelby.
