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 He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
anxiety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He loved it, calling it God's country, as he called the smoke Prosperity, breathing the dingy cloud with relish.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
biggest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
bones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But his hunger to get was unabated, for it was in the very bones of him and grew fiercer.
booms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
breaker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
breathing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He loved it, calling it God's country, as he called the smoke Prosperity, breathing the dingy cloud with relish.
builder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
Building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
buster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He loved it, calling it God's country, as he called the smoke Prosperity, breathing the dingy cloud with relish.
calling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He loved it, calling it God's country, as he called the smoke Prosperity, breathing the dingy cloud with relish.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the city incarnate.
cloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He loved it, calling it God's country, as he called the smoke Prosperity, breathing the dingy cloud with relish.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
Company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
cross-roads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
decreased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
dingy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He loved it, calling it God's country, as he called the smoke Prosperity, breathing the dingy cloud with relish.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
fiercer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But his hunger to get was unabated, for it was in the very bones of him and grew fiercer.
finally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But his hunger to get was unabated, for it was in the very bones of him and grew fiercer.
former
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But his hunger to get was unabated, for it was in the very bones of him and grew fiercer.
God's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He loved it, calling it God's country, as he called the smoke Prosperity, breathing the dingy cloud with relish.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But his hunger to get was unabated, for it was in the very bones of him and grew fiercer.
growth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
higher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But his hunger to get was unabated, for it was in the very bones of him and grew fiercer.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
hunger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But his hunger to get was unabated, for it was in the very bones of him and grew fiercer.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
incarnate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the city incarnate.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
loved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He loved it, calling it God's country, as he called the smoke Prosperity, breathing the dingy cloud with relish.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
overwork
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
penitentiary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
period
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
played
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
Prosperity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He loved it, calling it God's country, as he called the smoke Prosperity, breathing the dingy cloud with relish.
rebounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
recuperation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
relapses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
relish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He loved it, calling it God's country, as he called the smoke Prosperity, breathing the dingy cloud with relish.
remote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
safe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
Sheridan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
skyscraper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
smoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
solid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/
wealth or financial means
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
thereafter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But his hunger to get was unabated, for it was in the very bones of him and grew fiercer.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
Trust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
truster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
unabated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But his hunger to get was unabated, for it was in the very bones of him and grew fiercer.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But his hunger to get was unabated, for it was in the very bones of him and grew fiercer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Sheridan Building was the biggest skyscraper; the Sheridan Trust Company was the biggest of its kind, and Sheridan himself had been the biggest builder and breaker and truster and buster under the smoke.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come from a country cross-roads, at the beginning of the growth, and he had gone up and down in the booms and relapses of that period; but each time he went down he rebounded a little higher, until finally, after a year of overwork and anxiety--the latter not decreased by a chance, remote but possible, of recuperation from the former in the penitentiary--he found himself on top, with solid substance under his feet; and thereafter “played it safe.”
