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 Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
abode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
averting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
basis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
BeginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
Bibbs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
Bigness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
briskadjectiveUS /brɪsk/
energetic and quick
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
cane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
completion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
considered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
Edith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edith met him at the station.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
gates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
glance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
graduation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Edith met him at the station.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
House
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
instruction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
leaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
learning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edith met him at the station.
milk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
New
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
nurse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
passagenounUS /ˈpassage/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
planning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
quick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
sanitarium
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
shake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
station
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edith met him at the station.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
subsequent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
sufficient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
supportverbUS /səˈpɔːrt/
to provide what someone needs in order to live
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
tiresome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
travelers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
turning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
walk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
Well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
zwieback
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
