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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
AndeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An early day had been fixed for his arrival; for I thought it might be of service to him to be introduced to the field of his labours.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
arrival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An early day had been fixed for his arrival; for I thought it might be of service to him to be introduced to the field of his labours.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading An early day had been fixed for his arrival; for I thought it might be of service to him to be introduced to the field of his labours.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading An early day had been fixed for his arrival; for I thought it might be of service to him to be introduced to the field of his labours.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
boxes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
boys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
chest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
corn-bin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An early day had been fixed for his arrival; for I thought it might be of service to him to be introduced to the field of his labours.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An early day had been fixed for his arrival; for I thought it might be of service to him to be introduced to the field of his labours.
exchange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weir, as I had expected, was quite pleased to make the exchange.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weir, as I had expected, was quite pleased to make the exchange.
field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An early day had been fixed for his arrival; for I thought it might be of service to him to be introduced to the field of his labours.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
fixed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An early day had been fixed for his arrival; for I thought it might be of service to him to be introduced to the field of his labours.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading An early day had been fixed for his arrival; for I thought it might be of service to him to be introduced to the field of his labours.
former
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading An early day had been fixed for his arrival; for I thought it might be of service to him to be introduced to the field of his labours.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading An early day had been fixed for his arrival; for I thought it might be of service to him to be introduced to the field of his labours.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I will not linger over our preparations or our leave-takings.
introduced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An early day had been fixed for his arrival; for I thought it might be of service to him to be introduced to the field of his labours.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading An early day had been fixed for his arrival; for I thought it might be of service to him to be introduced to the field of his labours.
labours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An early day had been fixed for his arrival; for I thought it might be of service to him to be introduced to the field of his labours.
leave-takings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I will not linger over our preparations or our leave-takings.
linger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I will not linger over our preparations or our leave-takings.
lumber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Weir, as I had expected, was quite pleased to make the exchange.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading An early day had been fixed for his arrival; for I thought it might be of service to him to be introduced to the field of his labours.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I will not linger over our preparations or our leave-takings.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I will not linger over our preparations or our leave-takings.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading I will not linger over our preparations or our leave-takings.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I will not linger over our preparations or our leave-takings.
oystershells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
pebbles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Weir, as I had expected, was quite pleased to make the exchange.
ponderous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
preparations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I will not linger over our preparations or our leave-takings.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Weir, as I had expected, was quite pleased to make the exchange.
sea-weed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An early day had been fixed for his arrival; for I thought it might be of service to him to be introduced to the field of his labours.
STUDIO
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STUDIO.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STUDIO.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading An early day had been fixed for his arrival; for I thought it might be of service to him to be introduced to the field of his labours.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Weir, as I had expected, was quite pleased to make the exchange.
Weir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weir, as I had expected, was quite pleased to make the exchange.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading I will not linger over our preparations or our leave-takings.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The most ponderous of the former were those of the two boys, who, as they had wanted to bring down a chest as big as a corn-bin, full of lumber, now wanted to take home two or three boxes filled with pebbles, great oystershells, and sea-weed.
