adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
AlladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All the time there had been a few of the more idle of the inhabitants about the door, but they had been rather quiet.
altogetheradverbUS /ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But he was at length startled from his waking dream by a swell in the noise outside.
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading All the time there had been a few of the more idle of the inhabitants about the door, but they had been rather quiet.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
breakfastverbUS /ˈbrekfəst/
eat an early morning meal
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he was at length startled from his waking dream by a swell in the noise outside.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
captivitynounUS /kæpˈtɪvəti/
the state of being imprisoned
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
circumstancesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəmstænsəz/
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
clearverbUS /klɪr/
rid of obstructions
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
cottagenounUS /ˈkɑːtədʒ/
a small house with a single story
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
Curdie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
darknounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
darknessnounUS /ˈdɑːrknəs/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
destroyedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrɔɪd/
spoiled or ruined or demolished
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
doingverbUS /ˈduːɪŋ/
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading All the time there had been a few of the more idle of the inhabitants about the door, but they had been rather quiet.
dreamnounUS /driːm/
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading But he was at length startled from his waking dream by a swell in the noise outside.
dungeonnounUS /ˈdʌndʒən/
the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading All the time there had been a few of the more idle of the inhabitants about the door, but they had been rather quiet.
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But he was at length startled from his waking dream by a swell in the noise outside.
gloomieradjectiveUS /ˈɡluːmiər/
comparative of “gloomy” — depressingly dark
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
greedyadjectiveUS /ˈɡriːdi/
immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All the time there had been a few of the more idle of the inhabitants about the door, but they had been rather quiet.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
idleadjectiveUS /ˈaɪdəl/
not in action or at work
From this reading All the time there had been a few of the more idle of the inhabitants about the door, but they had been rather quiet.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
inhabitantsnounUS /ɪnˈhæbətənts/
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading All the time there had been a few of the more idle of the inhabitants about the door, but they had been rather quiet.
insteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
lengthnounUS /leŋkθ/
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading But he was at length startled from his waking dream by a swell in the noise outside.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
magistratenounUS /ˈmædʒəstreɪt/
a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law (especially one who conducts a court dealing with minor offenses)
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
Mattocknoun
a kind of pick that is used for digging; has a flat blade set at right angles to the handle
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading All the time there had been a few of the more idle of the inhabitants about the door, but they had been rather quiet.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
MountainsidenounUS /ˈmaʊntənsaɪd/
the side or slope of a mountain
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
noisenounUS /nɔɪz/
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading But he was at length startled from his waking dream by a swell in the noise outside.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading But he was at length startled from his waking dream by a swell in the noise outside.
powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/
possession of controlling influence
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
presentlyadverbUS /ˈprezəntli/
in the near future
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading All the time there had been a few of the more idle of the inhabitants about the door, but they had been rather quiet.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
reinvigoratedadjectiveUS /ˌriːɪnˈvɪɡəreɪtɪd/
with restored energy
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
seeingnounUS /ˈsiːɪŋ/
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
selfishnessnounUS /ˈselfɪʃnəs/
stinginess resulting from a concern for your own welfare and a disregard of others
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
soulnounUS /soʊl/
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
startledadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtəld/
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading But he was at length startled from his waking dream by a swell in the noise outside.
swellverbUS /swel/
increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
From this reading But he was at length startled from his waking dream by a swell in the noise outside.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading All the time there had been a few of the more idle of the inhabitants about the door, but they had been rather quiet.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All the time there had been a few of the more idle of the inhabitants about the door, but they had been rather quiet.
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading So he began to think about his father and mother in their little cottage home, high in the clear air of the open Mountainside, and the thought, instead of making his dungeon gloomier by the contrast, made a light in his soul that destroyed the power of darkness and captivity.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading All the time there had been a few of the more idle of the inhabitants about the door, but they had been rather quiet.
tiresomeadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərsəm/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
unknownadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊn/
not known
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
uselessadjectiveUS /ˈjuːsləs/
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading But he was at length startled from his waking dream by a swell in the noise outside.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was useless attempting to think what he should do next, seeing the circumstances in which he was presently to find himself were altogether unknown to him.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The Mattock While The magistrate reinvigorated his selfishness with a greedy breakfast, Curdie found doing nothing in the dark rather tiresome work.
