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The O'Ruddy: A Romance
The O'Ruddy: A Romance

Chapter XIV

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Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.
But the unexpected happened in this case, all true enough whatever.
I was giving my man a bit of a warning.
"Paddy," said I, "you are big, and you are red, and you are Irish; but by the same token you are not the great Fingal, son of lightning.
I would strongly give you the word.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The O'Ruddy: A Romance

Chapter XIV

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.
Line 2
But the unexpected happened in this case, all true enough whatever.
Line 3
I was giving my man a bit of a warning.
Line 4
"Paddy," said I, "you are big, and you are red, and you are Irish; but by the same token you are not the great Fingal, son of lightning.
Line 5
I would strongly give you the word.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Although noun US /ˈalthough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Paddy," said I, "you are big, and you are red, and you are Irish; but by the same token you are not the great Fingal, son of lightning.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.”

Whatever determiner US /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading “But the unexpected happened in this case, all true enough whatever.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “I would strongly give you the word.”

All words in this reading · 80

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 It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the unexpected happened in this case, all true enough whatever.

althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

any

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "Paddy," said I, "you are big, and you are red, and you are Irish; but by the same token you are not the great Fingal, son of lightning.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

big

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Paddy," said I, "you are big, and you are red, and you are Irish; but by the same token you are not the great Fingal, son of lightning.

bit

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I was giving my man a bit of a warning.

brains

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the unexpected happened in this case, all true enough whatever.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

case

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the unexpected happened in this case, all true enough whatever.

dint

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

discovered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

enough

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the unexpected happened in this case, all true enough whatever.

expressing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

Fingal

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Paddy," said I, "you are big, and you are red, and you are Irish; but by the same token you are not the great Fingal, son of lightning.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

give

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I would strongly give you the word.

giving

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I was giving my man a bit of a warning.

go

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

happened

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the unexpected happened in this case, all true enough whatever.

happens

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

headful

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

how

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

Irish

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Paddy," said I, "you are big, and you are red, and you are Irish; but by the same token you are not the great Fingal, son of lightning.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

knowledge

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

law

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

learned

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

lightning

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Paddy," said I, "you are big, and you are red, and you are Irish; but by the same token you are not the great Fingal, son of lightning.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

man

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

matters

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

men

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I was giving my man a bit of a warning.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

often

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

other's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

Paddy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Paddy," said I, "you are big, and you are red, and you are Irish; but by the same token you are not the great Fingal, son of lightning.

poaching

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

red

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Paddy," said I, "you are big, and you are red, and you are Irish; but by the same token you are not the great Fingal, son of lightning.

said

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Paddy," said I, "you are big, and you are red, and you are Irish; but by the same token you are not the great Fingal, son of lightning.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

son

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Paddy," said I, "you are big, and you are red, and you are Irish; but by the same token you are not the great Fingal, son of lightning.

strongly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I would strongly give you the word.

succeeded

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

succinctly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading But the unexpected happened in this case, all true enough whatever.

thus

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

token

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Paddy," said I, "you are big, and you are red, and you are Irish; but by the same token you are not the great Fingal, son of lightning.

true

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the unexpected happened in this case, all true enough whatever.

unexpected

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

warning

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I was giving my man a bit of a warning.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading I was giving my man a bit of a warning.

way

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It had been said that the unexpected often happens, although I do not know what learned man of the time succeeded in thus succinctly expressing a great law and any how it matters little, for I have since discovered that these learned men make one headful of brains go a long way by dint of poaching on each other's knowledge.

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading But the unexpected happened in this case, all true enough whatever.

word

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I would strongly give you the word.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading I would strongly give you the word.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Paddy," said I, "you are big, and you are red, and you are Irish; but by the same token you are not the great Fingal, son of lightning.