adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
adoredadjectiveUS /əˈdɔːrd/
regarded with deep or rapturous love (especially as if for a god)
From this reading I would have polished his sword, too, if I had been allowed; I adored his sword.
allowedverbUS /əˈlaʊd/
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading I would have polished his sword, too, if I had been allowed; I adored his sword.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I would have polished his sword, too, if I had been allowed; I adored his sword.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
cloth-ball
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
companynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
conscientiousadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnʃiˈenʃəs/
characterized by extreme care and great effort
From this reading We were sodden poor, and that is a fact, poor and conscientious, which was worse.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
dog-cart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And once, I remember, we painted and varnished our own dog-cart, and very smart it looked, to save fifty rupees.
economiesnounUS /ɪˈkɑːnəmiz/
plural of “economy” — the system of production and distribution and consumption
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
facingsnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋz/
plural of “facing” — a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading We were sodden poor, and that is a fact, poor and conscientious, which was worse.
fiftynounUS /ˈfɪfti/
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading And once, I remember, we painted and varnished our own dog-cart, and very smart it looked, to save fifty rupees.
gettingnounUS /ˈɡetɪŋ/
the act of acquiring something
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I would have polished his sword, too, if I had been allowed; I adored his sword.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I would have polished his sword, too, if I had been allowed; I adored his sword.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I would have polished his sword, too, if I had been allowed; I adored his sword.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And once, I remember, we painted and varnished our own dog-cart, and very smart it looked, to save fifty rupees.
JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
John'snounUS /dʒɑːnz/
possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
knowingadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊɪŋ/
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading And once, I remember, we painted and varnished our own dog-cart, and very smart it looked, to save fifty rupees.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
marriedadjectiveUS /ˈmerid/
joined in matrimony
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
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 had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading And once, I remember, we painted and varnished our own dog-cart, and very smart it looked, to save fifty rupees.
onesnounUS /wʌnz/
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading And once, I remember, we painted and varnished our own dog-cart, and very smart it looked, to save fifty rupees.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading And once, I remember, we painted and varnished our own dog-cart, and very smart it looked, to save fifty rupees.
paintedadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪntɪd/
coated with paint
From this reading And once, I remember, we painted and varnished our own dog-cart, and very smart it looked, to save fifty rupees.
payverbUS /peɪ/
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading I would have polished his sword, too, if I had been allowed; I adored his sword.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading We were sodden poor, and that is a fact, poor and conscientious, which was worse.
practiseverbUS /ˈpræktɪs/
engage in a rehearsal
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
puddingsnounUS /ˈpʊdɪŋz/
plural of “pudding” — any of various soft thick unsweetened baked dishes
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
recollectionnounUS /ˌrekəˈlekʃən/
the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/
To recall to mind.
From this reading And once, I remember, we painted and varnished our own dog-cart, and very smart it looked, to save fifty rupees.
rupeesnounUS /ruːˈpiːz/
plural of “rupee” — the basic unit of money in Sri Lanka; equal to 100 cents
From this reading And once, I remember, we painted and varnished our own dog-cart, and very smart it looked, to save fifty rupees.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
smartadjectiveUS /smɑːrt/
showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
From this reading And once, I remember, we painted and varnished our own dog-cart, and very smart it looked, to save fifty rupees.
soddenadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːdən/
wet through and through; thoroughly wet
From this reading We were sodden poor, and that is a fact, poor and conscientious, which was worse.
swordnounUS /sɔːrd/
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading I would have polished his sword, too, if I had been allowed; I adored his sword.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
timesnounUS /taɪmz/
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading I would have polished his sword, too, if I had been allowed; I adored his sword.
uniformadjectiveUS /ˈjuːnəfɔːrm/
always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
varnishedadjectiveUS /ˈvɑːrnɪʃt/
having a coating of stain or varnish
From this reading And once, I remember, we painted and varnished our own dog-cart, and very smart it looked, to save fifty rupees.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading And once, I remember, we painted and varnished our own dog-cart, and very smart it looked, to save fifty rupees.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading We were sodden poor, and that is a fact, poor and conscientious, which was worse.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John’s uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.
worseadjectiveUS /wɜːrs/
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading We were sodden poor, and that is a fact, poor and conscientious, which was worse.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I would have polished his sword, too, if I had been allowed; I adored his sword.
