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 A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But the talent, like the agreement, must be for and about life.
absences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
agreement
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From this reading But the talent, like the agreement, must be for and about life.
almost
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From this reading ***** A certain sort of talent is almost indispensable for people who would spend years together and not bore themselves to death.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The woman must be talented as a woman, and it will not much matter although she is talented in nothing else.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But the talent, like the agreement, must be for and about life.
bore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ***** A certain sort of talent is almost indispensable for people who would spend years together and not bore themselves to death.
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To dwell happily together, they should be versed in the niceties of the heart, and born with a faculty for willing compromise.
bright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ***** A certain sort of talent is almost indispensable for people who would spend years together and not bore themselves to death.
compromise
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From this reading To dwell happily together, they should be versed in the niceties of the heart, and born with a faculty for willing compromise.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ***** A certain sort of talent is almost indispensable for people who would spend years together and not bore themselves to death.
delicate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
dwell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To dwell happily together, they should be versed in the niceties of the heart, and born with a faculty for willing compromise.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woman must be talented as a woman, and it will not much matter although she is talented in nothing else.
faculty
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From this reading To dwell happily together, they should be versed in the niceties of the heart, and born with a faculty for willing compromise.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
frequently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
habit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
happily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To dwell happily together, they should be versed in the niceties of the heart, and born with a faculty for willing compromise.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To dwell happily together, they should be versed in the niceties of the heart, and born with a faculty for willing compromise.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
indispensable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ***** A certain sort of talent is almost indispensable for people who would spend years together and not bore themselves to death.
influence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But the talent, like the agreement, must be for and about life.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the talent, like the agreement, must be for and about life.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
marriage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
marry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woman must be talented as a woman, and it will not much matter although she is talented in nothing else.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woman must be talented as a woman, and it will not much matter although she is talented in nothing else.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading But the talent, like the agreement, must be for and about life.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
niceties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To dwell happily together, they should be versed in the niceties of the heart, and born with a faculty for willing compromise.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ***** A certain sort of talent is almost indispensable for people who would spend years together and not bore themselves to death.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The woman must be talented as a woman, and it will not much matter although she is talented in nothing else.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
pedestrian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ***** A certain sort of talent is almost indispensable for people who would spend years together and not bore themselves to death.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The woman must be talented as a woman, and it will not much matter although she is talented in nothing else.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading To dwell happily together, they should be versed in the niceties of the heart, and born with a faculty for willing compromise.
solder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ***** A certain sort of talent is almost indispensable for people who would spend years together and not bore themselves to death.
spend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ***** A certain sort of talent is almost indispensable for people who would spend years together and not bore themselves to death.
talent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ***** A certain sort of talent is almost indispensable for people who would spend years together and not bore themselves to death.
talented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woman must be talented as a woman, and it will not much matter although she is talented in nothing else.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading ***** A certain sort of talent is almost indispensable for people who would spend years together and not bore themselves to death.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To dwell happily together, they should be versed in the niceties of the heart, and born with a faculty for willing compromise.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ***** A certain sort of talent is almost indispensable for people who would spend years together and not bore themselves to death.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
torn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
versed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To dwell happily together, they should be versed in the niceties of the heart, and born with a faculty for willing compromise.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading ***** A certain sort of talent is almost indispensable for people who would spend years together and not bore themselves to death.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading The woman must be talented as a woman, and it will not much matter although she is talented in nothing else.
willing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To dwell happily together, they should be versed in the niceties of the heart, and born with a faculty for willing compromise.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading To dwell happily together, they should be versed in the niceties of the heart, and born with a faculty for willing compromise.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woman must be talented as a woman, and it will not much matter although she is talented in nothing else.
worst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ship captain is a good man to marry if it is a marriage of love, for absences are a good influence in love, and keep it bright and delicate; but he is just the worst man if the feeling is more pedestrian, as habit is too frequently torn open and the solder has never time to set.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading ***** A certain sort of talent is almost indispensable for people who would spend years together and not bore themselves to death.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ***** A certain sort of talent is almost indispensable for people who would spend years together and not bore themselves to death.
