adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading At first, when my teacher told me about a new thing I asked very few questions.
acquireverbUS /əˈkwaɪər/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
advanceverbUS /ədˈvæns/
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
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 I had now the key to all language, and I was eager to learn to use it.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I had now the key to all language, and I was eager to learn to use it.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading At first, when my teacher told me about a new thing I asked very few questions.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first, when my teacher told me about a new thing I asked very few questions.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But whatever the process, the result is wonderful.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
catchverbUS /kætʃ/
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
childnounUS /tʃaɪld/
a young person of either sex
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
ChildrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
deafadjectiveUS /def/
lacking or deprived of the sense of hearing wholly or in part
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
delightedlyadverb
with delight
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading I had now the key to all language, and I was eager to learn to use it.
effortnounUS /ˈefərt/
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
fallverbUS /fɔːl/
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
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 At first, when my teacher told me about a new thing I asked very few questions.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
GraduallyadverbUS /ˈɡrædʒuːəli/
in a gradual manner
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had now the key to all language, and I was eager to learn to use it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
hearverbUS /hiːr/
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I had now the key to all language, and I was eager to learn to use it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But whatever the process, the result is wonderful.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I had now the key to all language, and I was eager to learn to use it.
keynounUS /kiː/
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading I had now the key to all language, and I was eager to learn to use it.
languagenounUS /ˈlæŋɡwədʒ/
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading I had now the key to all language, and I was eager to learn to use it.
learnverbUS /lɜːrn/
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading I had now the key to all language, and I was eager to learn to use it.
linenounUS /laɪn/
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
lipsnounUS /lɪps/
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At first, when my teacher told me about a new thing I asked very few questions.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading At first, when my teacher told me about a new thing I asked very few questions.
namingnounUS /ˈneɪmɪŋ/
the verbal act of naming
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading At first, when my teacher told me about a new thing I asked very few questions.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I had now the key to all language, and I was eager to learn to use it.
objectnounUS /ˈɑːbdʒekt/
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
painfuladjectiveUS /ˈpeɪnfəl/
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
particularadjectiveUS /pərˈtɪkjələr/
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
processverbUS /ˈprɑːses/
subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
questionsnounUS /ˈkwestʃənz/
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading At first, when my teacher told me about a new thing I asked very few questions.
resultnounUS /rɪˈzʌlt/
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading But whatever the process, the result is wonderful.
ShakespearenounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
slowadjectiveUS /sloʊ/
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
stammered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
stepnounUS /step/
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
syllablenounUS /ˈsɪləbəl/
a unit of spoken language larger than a phoneme
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
teachernounUS /ˈtiːtʃər/
a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading At first, when my teacher told me about a new thing I asked very few questions.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I had now the key to all language, and I was eager to learn to use it.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading At first, when my teacher told me about a new thing I asked very few questions.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had now the key to all language, and I was eager to learn to use it.
toldverbUS /toʊld/
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading At first, when my teacher told me about a new thing I asked very few questions.
trapnounUS /træp/
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
traversedverbUS /ˈtrævərst/
past form of “traverse” — travel across or pass over
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
usenounUS /juːs/
the act of using
From this reading I had now the key to all language, and I was eager to learn to use it.
vastadjectiveUS /væst/
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading At first, when my teacher told me about a new thing I asked very few questions.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I had now the key to all language, and I was eager to learn to use it.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Gradually from naming an object we advance step by step until we have traversed the vast distance between our first stammered syllable and the sweep of thought in a line of Shakespeare.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading But whatever the process, the result is wonderful.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading At first, when my teacher told me about a new thing I asked very few questions.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
wingnounUS /wɪŋ/
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
wonderfuladjectiveUS /ˈwʌndərfəl/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading But whatever the process, the result is wonderful.
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading Children who hear acquire language without any particular effort; the words that fall from others' lips they catch on the wing, as it were, delightedly, while the little deaf child must trap them by a slow and often painful process.
