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 They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But we perhaps exaggerate the gray or sable tinge, which undoubtedly characterized the mood and manners of the age.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had they followed their hereditary taste, the New England settlers would have illustrated all events of public importance by bonfires, banquets, pageantries, and processions.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The persons now in the market-place of Boston had not been born to an inheritance of Puritanic gloom.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But we perhaps exaggerate the gray or sable tinge, which undoubtedly characterized the mood and manners of the age.
appear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
banquets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had they followed their hereditary taste, the New England settlers would have illustrated all events of public importance by bonfires, banquets, pageantries, and processions.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The persons now in the market-place of Boston had not been born to an inheritance of Puritanic gloom.
bonfires
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had they followed their hereditary taste, the New England settlers would have illustrated all events of public importance by bonfires, banquets, pageantries, and processions.
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The persons now in the market-place of Boston had not been born to an inheritance of Puritanic gloom.
Boston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The persons now in the market-place of Boston had not been born to an inheritance of Puritanic gloom.
brilliant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But we perhaps exaggerate the gray or sable tinge, which undoubtedly characterized the mood and manners of the age.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Had they followed their hereditary taste, the New England settlers would have illustrated all events of public importance by bonfires, banquets, pageantries, and processions.
ceremonies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
characterized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But we perhaps exaggerate the gray or sable tinge, which undoubtedly characterized the mood and manners of the age.
combine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
Elizabethan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
embroidery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
England
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
Englishmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
epoch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
events
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had they followed their hereditary taste, the New England settlers would have illustrated all events of public importance by bonfires, banquets, pageantries, and processions.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
exaggerate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But we perhaps exaggerate the gray or sable tinge, which undoubtedly characterized the mood and manners of the age.
fathers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
festivals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had they followed their hereditary taste, the New England settlers would have illustrated all events of public importance by bonfires, banquets, pageantries, and processions.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
gloom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The persons now in the market-place of Boston had not been born to an inheritance of Puritanic gloom.
gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But we perhaps exaggerate the gray or sable tinge, which undoubtedly characterized the mood and manners of the age.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
grotesque
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The persons now in the market-place of Boston had not been born to an inheritance of Puritanic gloom.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
hereditary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had they followed their hereditary taste, the New England settlers would have illustrated all events of public importance by bonfires, banquets, pageantries, and processions.
illustrated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had they followed their hereditary taste, the New England settlers would have illustrated all events of public importance by bonfires, banquets, pageantries, and processions.
importance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had they followed their hereditary taste, the New England settlers would have illustrated all events of public importance by bonfires, banquets, pageantries, and processions.
impracticable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The persons now in the market-place of Boston had not been born to an inheritance of Puritanic gloom.
inheritance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The persons now in the market-place of Boston had not been born to an inheritance of Puritanic gloom.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
joyous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
magnificent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
majestic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
manners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But we perhaps exaggerate the gray or sable tinge, which undoubtedly characterized the mood and manners of the age.
market-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The persons now in the market-place of Boston had not been born to an inheritance of Puritanic gloom.
mass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
mirthful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
mood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But we perhaps exaggerate the gray or sable tinge, which undoubtedly characterized the mood and manners of the age.
nation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
native
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
New
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had they followed their hereditary taste, the New England settlers would have illustrated all events of public importance by bonfires, banquets, pageantries, and processions.
NorconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The persons now in the market-place of Boston had not been born to an inheritance of Puritanic gloom.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The persons now in the market-place of Boston had not been born to an inheritance of Puritanic gloom.
observance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But we perhaps exaggerate the gray or sable tinge, which undoubtedly characterized the mood and manners of the age.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But we perhaps exaggerate the gray or sable tinge, which undoubtedly characterized the mood and manners of the age.
pageantries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had they followed their hereditary taste, the New England settlers would have illustrated all events of public importance by bonfires, banquets, pageantries, and processions.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading But we perhaps exaggerate the gray or sable tinge, which undoubtedly characterized the mood and manners of the age.
persons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The persons now in the market-place of Boston had not been born to an inheritance of Puritanic gloom.
processions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had they followed their hereditary taste, the New England settlers would have illustrated all events of public importance by bonfires, banquets, pageantries, and processions.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had they followed their hereditary taste, the New England settlers would have illustrated all events of public importance by bonfires, banquets, pageantries, and processions.
Puritanic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The persons now in the market-place of Boston had not been born to an inheritance of Puritanic gloom.
puts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
recreation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
richness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
robe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
sable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But we perhaps exaggerate the gray or sable tinge, which undoubtedly characterized the mood and manners of the age.
settlers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had they followed their hereditary taste, the New England settlers would have illustrated all events of public importance by bonfires, banquets, pageantries, and processions.
solemnity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
stately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
sunny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
tasteverbUS /teɪst/
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading Had they followed their hereditary taste, the New England settlers would have illustrated all events of public importance by bonfires, banquets, pageantries, and processions.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But we perhaps exaggerate the gray or sable tinge, which undoubtedly characterized the mood and manners of the age.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Had they followed their hereditary taste, the New England settlers would have illustrated all events of public importance by bonfires, banquets, pageantries, and processions.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
tinge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But we perhaps exaggerate the gray or sable tinge, which undoubtedly characterized the mood and manners of the age.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The persons now in the market-place of Boston had not been born to an inheritance of Puritanic gloom.
undoubtedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But we perhaps exaggerate the gray or sable tinge, which undoubtedly characterized the mood and manners of the age.
viewed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But we perhaps exaggerate the gray or sable tinge, which undoubtedly characterized the mood and manners of the age.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But we perhaps exaggerate the gray or sable tinge, which undoubtedly characterized the mood and manners of the age.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Nor would it have been impracticable, in the observance of majestic ceremonies, to combine mirthful recreation with solemnity, and give, as it were, a grotesque and brilliant embroidery to the great robe of state, which a nation, at such festivals, puts on.
witnessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They were native Englishmen, whose fathers had lived in the sunny richness of the Elizabethan epoch; a time when the life of England, viewed as one great mass, would appear to have been as stately, magnificent, and joyous, as the world has ever witnessed.