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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
accustoms
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From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
advantages
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From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
also
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From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
Alsop
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From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
Alsop's
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From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
Archer
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From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
avoid
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From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
boy
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From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
came
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From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
casual
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From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
caught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
clevernessnounUS /ˈklev.ər.nəs/
The quality of being intelligent, quick to understand, and resourceful in danger.
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
cut
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From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
defeat
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From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
depressed
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From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
develop
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From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
examples
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
FIRSTnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
foolish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
French
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From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
impression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
IMPRESSIONS
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From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
incidental
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From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
innate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
innocent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
justice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
knocks
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From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
lesson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
offended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
paying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
penalty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
pleasantries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
precocious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
pride
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
pupil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
quick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
Sam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
Seaton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
sensitive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
sharpness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
suspiciousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
system
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
teacher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
unmastered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
wrong-doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
