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The Works of John Greenleaf Whittier
The Works of John Greenleaf Whittier

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of The Works of John Greenleaf Whittier is here in full — 67 sentences across 14 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/13 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.
Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.
Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.
However it might be with others, he never forgot the man or the woman in the pauper.
There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Works of John Greenleaf Whittier

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of The Works of John Greenleaf Whittier is here in full — 67 sentences across 14 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/13 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.
Line 2
Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.
Line 3
Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.
Line 4
However it might be with others, he never forgot the man or the woman in the pauper.
Line 5
There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.
/ðer wɑːz ˈnʌθɪŋ laɪk ˌkɑːndəˈsenʃən ɔːr ˈkɑːnʃəsnəs ɪn hɪz ˈtʃærətəbəl ˌmɪnəˈstreɪʃənz fɔːr hiː wɑːz wʌn ʌv ðə fjuː men aɪ hæv ˈevər noʊn ɪn huːm ðə mɪlk ʌv ˈhjuːmən ˈkaɪndnəs wɑːz ˈnevər ˈsaʊərd baɪ kənˈtempt fɔːr hjuːˈmænɪti ɪn ˌwʌˈtevər fɔːrm ɪt priˈzentɪd ˌɪtˈself/

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

ascendency noun US /əˈsendənsi/

the state that exists when one person or group has power over another

From this reading “Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.”

brighten verb US /ˈbraɪtən/

make more cheerful through the use of color

From this reading “Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.”

diseased adjective US /dɪˈziːzd/

caused by or altered by or manifesting disease or pathology

From this reading “IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.”

expand verb US /ɪkˈspænd/

extend in one or more directions

From this reading “Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.”

fretful adjective US /ˈfretfəl/

nervous and unable to relax

From this reading “Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.”

ministrations noun US /ˌmɪnəˈstreɪʃənz/

plural of “ministration” — assistance in time of difficulty

From this reading “There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.”

soured adjective US /ˈsaʊərd/

having turned bad

From this reading “There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.”

unfortunates noun US /ənˈfɔːrtʃənəts/

plural of “unfortunate” — a person who suffers misfortune

From this reading “Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.”

All words in this reading · 132

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

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 Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

agenounUS /eɪdʒ/

how long something has existed

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

age-stricken

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

approachverbUS /əˈproʊtʃ/

move towards

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

ascendencynounUS /əˈsendənsi/

the state that exists when one person or group has power over another

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading However it might be with others, he never forgot the man or the woman in the pauper.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

breeziest

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

brightenverbUS /ˈbraɪtən/

make more cheerful through the use of color

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

brightestadjectiveUS /ˈbraɪtəst/

superlative of “bright” — emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

callverbUS /kɔːl/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

centurynounUS /ˈsentʃəri/

a period of 100 years

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

charitableadjectiveUS /ˈtʃærətəbəl/

relating to or characterized by charity

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

complaintsnounUS /kəmˈpleɪnts/

plural of “complaint” — an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

condescensionnounUS /ˌkɑːndəˈsenʃən/

the trait of displaying arrogance by patronizing those considered inferior

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

consciousnessnounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəsnəs/

an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

contemptnounUS /kənˈtempt/

lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

DarknounUS /dɑːrk/

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

diseasedadjectiveUS /dɪˈziːzd/

caused by or altered by or manifesting disease or pathology

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

DoctornounUS /ˈdɑːktər/

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

ever-patient

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

expandverbUS /ɪkˈspænd/

extend in one or more directions

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

facesnounUS /ˈfeɪsəz/

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

feltverbUS /felt/

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

forgotverbUS /fərˈɡɑːt/

inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading However it might be with others, he never forgot the man or the woman in the pauper.

formnounUS /fɔːrm/

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

fretfuladjectiveUS /ˈfretfəl/

nervous and unable to relax

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

good-nature

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

grimadjectiveUS /ɡrɪm/

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

halfadjectiveUS /hæf/

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

happyadjectiveUS /ˈhæpi/

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

heartsnounUS /hɑːrts/

a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

homesnounUS /hoʊmz/

plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

homewardadverbUS /ˈhoʊmwərd/

toward home

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

HoweveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading However it might be with others, he never forgot the man or the woman in the pauper.

humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/

characteristic of humanity

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

humanitynounUS /hjuːˈmænɪti/

the quality of being humane

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

imaginaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmædʒəneri/

not based on fact; existing only in the imagination

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

influencenounUS /ˈɪnfluːəns/

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

inmatesnounUS /ˈɪnmeɪts/

plural of “inmate” — one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/

relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

ITpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

kindnessnounUS /ˈkaɪndnəs/

the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/

apprehended with certainty

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

listenedverbUS /ˈlɪsənd/

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

lonelyadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnli/

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading However it might be with others, he never forgot the man or the woman in the pauper.

man'snounUS /mænz/

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading However it might be with others, he never forgot the man or the woman in the pauper.

milknounUS /mɪlk/

a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

ministrationsnounUS /ˌmɪnəˈstreɪʃənz/

plural of “ministration” — assistance in time of difficulty

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

miserableadjectiveUS /ˈmɪzərəbəl/

very unhappy; full of misery

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

morningsnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋz/

plural of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

mothersnounUS /ˈmʌðərz/

plural of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

naturesnounUS /ˈneɪtʃərz/

plural of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading However it might be with others, he never forgot the man or the woman in the pauper.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

others

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading However it might be with others, he never forgot the man or the woman in the pauper.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

patientsnounUS /ˈpeɪʃənts/

plural of “patient” — a person who requires medical care

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

paupernounUS /ˈpɔːpər/

a person who is very poor

From this reading However it might be with others, he never forgot the man or the woman in the pauper.

perchanceadverbUS /pərˈtʃæns/

through chance

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

pooradjectiveUS /puːr/

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

poor-house

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/

possession of controlling influence

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

presencenounUS /ˈprezəns/

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

presentedverbUS /priˈzentɪd/

past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

realadjectiveUS /riːl/

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

recordsnounUS /rəˈkɔːrdz/

plural of “record” — anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

reiteratedverbUS /riˈɪtəreɪtɪd/

past form of “reiterate” — to say, state, or perform again

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

salutations

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

seemedverbUS /siːmd/

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

sinnounUS /sɪn/

estrangement from god

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

sorrownounUS /ˈsɑːroʊ/

an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

souredadjectiveUS /ˈsaʊərd/

having turned bad

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

sufferingnounUS /ˈsʌfərɪŋ/

a state of acute pain

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

summernounUS /ˈsʌmər/

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

temporaryadjectiveUS /ˈtempəreri/

not permanent; not lasting

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

townnounUS /taʊn/

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

unfortunatesnounUS /ənˈfɔːrtʃənəts/

plural of “unfortunate” — a person who suffers misfortune

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

unreverenced

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

walkedverbUS /wɔːkt/

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

warmadjectiveUS /wɔːrm/

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

WearyverbUS /ˈwɪri/

exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

welcomedverbUS /ˈwelkəmd/

past form of “welcome” — accept gladly

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading IT was one of the very brightest and breeziest of summer mornings that the Doctor and myself walked homeward from the town poor-house, where he had always one or more patients, and where his coming was always welcomed by the poor, diseased, and age-stricken inmates.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There was nothing like condescension or consciousness in his charitable ministrations; for he was one of the few men I have ever known in whom the milk of human kindness was never soured by contempt for humanity in whatever form it presented itself.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading However it might be with others, he never forgot the man or the woman in the pauper.

womennounUS /ˈwɪmən/

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Weary, fretful women--happy mothers in happy homes, perchance, half a century before--felt their hearts warm and expand under the influence of his kind salutations and the ever-patient good-nature with which he listened to their reiterated complaints of real or imaginary suffering.

writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading Dark, miserable faces of lonely and unreverenced age, written over with the grim records of sorrow and sin, seemed to brighten at his approach as with an inward light, as if the good man's presence had power to call the better natures of the poor unfortunates into temporary ascendency.

Chapter 4 of The Works of John Greenleaf Whittier by John Greenleaf Whittier holds 67 sentences, grouped into 14 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 4 of The Works of John Greenleaf Whittier contain?

Chapter 4 holds 67 sentences of The Works of John Greenleaf Whittier, unabridged, divided into 14 reading sections.

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Chapter 1
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Chapter 3
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