adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We planned half in earnest and half Utopianising, a League of Social Service.
adoptedadjectiveUS /əˈdɑːptɪd/
acquired as your own by free choice
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We planned half in earnest and half Utopianising, a League of Social Service.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We would sink to gossip--even at the Suetonius level.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
BoernounUS /bɔːr/
a white native of Cape Province who is a descendant of Dutch settlers and who speaks Afrikaans
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
causesnounUS /ˈkɑːzəz/
plural of “cause” — events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
chancesnounUS /ˈtʃænsəz/
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
combinationsnounUS /ˌkɑːmbəˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “combination” — a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/
past form of “conceive” — have the idea for
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
confidencenounUS /ˈkɑːnfədəns/
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
constructiveadjectiveUS /kənˈstrʌktɪv/
constructing or tending to construct or improve or promote development
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
detailedadjectiveUS /dɪˈteɪld/
developed or executed with care and in minute detail
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
developmentnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
developmentsnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənts/
plural of “development” — act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
difficultiesnounUS /ˈdɪfəkəltiz/
plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
discussedverbUS /dɪˈskʌst/
past form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
earnestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrnɪst/
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading We planned half in earnest and half Utopianising, a League of Social Service.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading We would sink to gossip--even at the Suetonius level.
experiencedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspɪriənst/
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
facesnounUS /ˈfeɪsəz/
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
gossipnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəp/
light informal conversation for social occasions
From this reading We would sink to gossip--even at the Suetonius level.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
growverbUS /ɡroʊ/
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading We planned half in earnest and half Utopianising, a League of Social Service.
heart-searchings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
hostilitiesnounUS /hɑːˈstɪlətiz/
fighting; acts of overt warfare
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
ill-paid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We planned half in earnest and half Utopianising, a League of Social Service.
informedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrmd/
having much knowledge or education
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
intricateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəkət/
having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
invincibilitynounUS /ˌɪnvɪnsəˈbɪlɪti/
the property being difficult or impossible to defeat
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/
apprehended with certainty
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
LeaguenounUS /liːɡ/
an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members
From this reading We planned half in earnest and half Utopianising, a League of Social Service.
levelnounUS /ˈlevəl/
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading We would sink to gossip--even at the Suetonius level.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
monstrousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːnstrəs/
abnormally large
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
movementnounUS /ˈmuːvmənt/
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
naturaladjectiveUS /ˈnætʃərəl/
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
occasionedverbUS /əˈkeɪʒənd/
past form of “occasion” — give occasion to
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We planned half in earnest and half Utopianising, a League of Social Service.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
passiveadjectiveUS /ˈpæsɪv/
lacking in energy or will
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading We planned half in earnest and half Utopianising, a League of Social Service.
politicsnounUS /ˈpɑːlətɪks/
social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/
capable of happening or existing
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
resistances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
scarcelyadverbUS /ˈskersli/
only a very short time before
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
ServicenounUS /ˈsɜːrvəs/
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading We planned half in earnest and half Utopianising, a League of Social Service.
settingnounUS /ˈsetɪŋ/
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
sinkverbUS /sɪŋk/
fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading We would sink to gossip--even at the Suetonius level.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
SocialadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊʃəl/
relating to human society and its members
From this reading We planned half in earnest and half Utopianising, a League of Social Service.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
splendidadjectiveUS /ˈsplendɪd/
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
spokenounUS /spoʊk/
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
subserved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
Suetonius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We would sink to gossip--even at the Suetonius level.
talkedverbUS /tɔːkt/
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
triedadjectiveUS /traɪd/
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
underlyingadjectiveUS /ˌʌndərˈlaɪɪŋ/
in the nature of something though not readily apparent
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
unpaidadjectiveUS /ənˈpeɪd/
not paid
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
Utopianising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We planned half in earnest and half Utopianising, a League of Social Service.
warnounUS /wɔːr/
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We planned half in earnest and half Utopianising, a League of Social Service.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
Willersley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We talked much of the detailed life of politics so far as it was known to us, and there Willersley was more experienced and far better informed than I; we discussed possible combinations and possible developments, and the chances of some great constructive movement coming from the heart-searchings the Boer war had occasioned.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading We talked of the splendid world of men that might grow out of such unpaid and ill-paid work as we were setting our faces to do.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading We would sink to gossip--even at the Suetonius level.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading We spoke of the intricate difficulties, the monstrous passive resistances, the hostilities to such a development as we conceived our work subserved, and we spoke with that underlying confidence in the invincibility of the causes we adopted that is natural to young and scarcely tried men.
