adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
addedverbUS /ˈædəd/
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading Though goodness knows,” she added, getting out her handkerchief to cry, “the house will seem terribly empty when he’s gone.”
AlthoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
chancenounUS /tʃæns/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
cryverbUS /kraɪ/
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading Though goodness knows,” she added, getting out her handkerchief to cry, “the house will seem terribly empty when he’s gone.”
easilyadverbUS /ˈiːzəli/
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
educationnounUS /ˌedʒəˈkeɪʃən/
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
emptyverbUS /ˈempti/
make void or empty of contents
From this reading Though goodness knows,” she added, getting out her handkerchief to cry, “the house will seem terribly empty when he’s gone.”
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
fifteennounUS /fɪfˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
fourteennounUS /ˈfɔːrˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
getverbUS /ɡet/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
gettingnounUS /ˈɡetɪŋ/
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Though goodness knows,” she added, getting out her handkerchief to cry, “the house will seem terribly empty when he’s gone.”
goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/
destroyed or killed
From this reading Though goodness knows,” she added, getting out her handkerchief to cry, “the house will seem terribly empty when he’s gone.”
goodnessnounUS /ˈɡʊdnəs/
that which is pleasing or valuable or useful
From this reading Though goodness knows,” she added, getting out her handkerchief to cry, “the house will seem terribly empty when he’s gone.”
GrammarnounUS /ˈɡræmər/
the branch of linguistics that deals with syntax and morphology (and sometimes also deals with semantics)
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
grandadjectiveUS /ɡrænd/
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
handkerchiefnounUS /ˈhæŋkərtʃɪf/
a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
From this reading Though goodness knows,” she added, getting out her handkerchief to cry, “the house will seem terribly empty when he’s gone.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
he's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though goodness knows,” she added, getting out her handkerchief to cry, “the house will seem terribly empty when he’s gone.”
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
JacobnounUS /ˈdʒeɪkəb/
French biochemist who (with Jacques Monod) studied regulatory processes in cells (born in 1920)
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
knowsnounUS /noʊz/
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading Though goodness knows,” she added, getting out her handkerchief to cry, “the house will seem terribly empty when he’s gone.”
ladsnounUS /lædz/
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
learningnounUS /ˈlɜːrnɪŋ/
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
learnsverbUS /lɜːrnz/
third-person singular of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
leavingnounUS /ˈliːvɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Then my mother spoke up.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Then my mother spoke up.
nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
NowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
pointedadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪntɪd/
having a point
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
prospectnounUS /ˈprɑːspekt/
the possibility of future success
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
SchoolnounUS /skuːl/
an educational institution
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
seemverbUS /siːm/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Though goodness knows,” she added, getting out her handkerchief to cry, “the house will seem terribly empty when he’s gone.”
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
spareverbUS /sper/
refrain from harming
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
spokenounUS /spoʊk/
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Then my mother spoke up.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
tearsnounUS /terz/
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
terriblyadverbUS /ˈterəbli/
used as intensifiers
From this reading Though goodness knows,” she added, getting out her handkerchief to cry, “the house will seem terribly empty when he’s gone.”
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
ThenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then my mother spoke up.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though goodness knows,” she added, getting out her handkerchief to cry, “the house will seem terribly empty when he’s gone.”
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
Tommy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
townnounUS /taʊn/
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Then my mother spoke up.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Though goodness knows,” she added, getting out her handkerchief to cry, “the house will seem terribly empty when he’s gone.”
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
writeverbUS /raɪt/
produce a literary work
From this reading Tommy can easily spare these two years for his education; and if he learns no more than to read and write, the time will not be lost.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Now Jacob,” she said, “you know that many lads in the town have been to the Grammar School till they were fourteen or fifteen years old.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Although she was nearly in tears at the prospect of my leaving her house while I was still so young, she pointed out to my father that this was a grand chance for me to get learning.
