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 I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
ANCESTRAL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ANCESTRAL WISDOM.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
answer
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From this reading Hence arose the temptation to lay down a few practical rules I had proved and found answer.
any
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From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
arose
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From this reading Hence arose the temptation to lay down a few practical rules I had proved and found answer.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
assuring
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From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
attempting
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From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
authority
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From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
bringing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
carry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
chapter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
contemplate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hence arose the temptation to lay down a few practical rules I had proved and found answer.
dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdrɛdfəl/
extremely frightening or unpleasant
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
far
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From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hence arose the temptation to lay down a few practical rules I had proved and found answer.
finishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Hence arose the temptation to lay down a few practical rules I had proved and found answer.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Hence arose the temptation to lay down a few practical rules I had proved and found answer.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
HenceadverbUS /hens/
for this reason
From this reading Hence arose the temptation to lay down a few practical rules I had proved and found answer.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
imaginenounUS /ˈimagine/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
judgment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hence arose the temptation to lay down a few practical rules I had proved and found answer.
lie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
Like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
measure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
minepronounUS /maɪn/
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
mischief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
mothers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
muddle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
practical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hence arose the temptation to lay down a few practical rules I had proved and found answer.
proved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hence arose the temptation to lay down a few practical rules I had proved and found answer.
rules
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hence arose the temptation to lay down a few practical rules I had proved and found answer.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
says
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
So-and-so
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
successful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
temptation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hence arose the temptation to lay down a few practical rules I had proved and found answer.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
thenceadverbUS /ðens/
from that place or that time
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
they're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I did think of having a chapter about children before finishing my book; but this is not going to be the kind of chapter I thought of.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.
WISDOM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ANCESTRAL WISDOM.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
writing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as soon as I began to contemplate the writing of them down, I began to imagine So-and-so and So-and-so attempting to carry them out, and saw what a dreadful muddle they would make of it, and what mischief would thence lie at my door.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Like most mothers, I suppose, I think myself an authority on the subject; and, which is to me more assuring than any judgment of my own, my father says that I have been in a measure successful in bringing mine up,--only they're not brought up very far yet.