Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I confess I was rather glad of that, for it seemed a lower depth to which I could not descend, even after eating with them.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
Altruria
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They had to talk mostly with my husband, of course, and when they did talk to me it was through him.
answer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
answers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/
any person at all
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
appear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
appointed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
apron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
Aristides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
bright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
carefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
chin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
confess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I confess I was rather glad of that, for it seemed a lower depth to which I could not descend, even after eating with them.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had to talk mostly with my husband, of course, and when they did talk to me it was through him.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
deduction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
depth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I confess I was rather glad of that, for it seemed a lower depth to which I could not descend, even after eating with them.
descend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I confess I was rather glad of that, for it seemed a lower depth to which I could not descend, even after eating with them.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They had to talk mostly with my husband, of course, and when they did talk to me it was through him.
dishes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted them to let us go out and help wash the dishes, but they would not hear of it.
eating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I confess I was rather glad of that, for it seemed a lower depth to which I could not descend, even after eating with them.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I confess I was rather glad of that, for it seemed a lower depth to which I could not descend, even after eating with them.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I confess I was rather glad of that, for it seemed a lower depth to which I could not descend, even after eating with them.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
glad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I confess I was rather glad of that, for it seemed a lower depth to which I could not descend, even after eating with them.
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted them to let us go out and help wash the dishes, but they would not hear of it.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had to talk mostly with my husband, of course, and when they did talk to me it was through him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He wanted them to let us go out and help wash the dishes, but they would not hear of it.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wanted them to let us go out and help wash the dishes, but they would not hear of it.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wanted them to let us go out and help wash the dishes, but they would not hear of it.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They had to talk mostly with my husband, of course, and when they did talk to me it was through him.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had to talk mostly with my husband, of course, and when they did talk to me it was through him.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I confess I was rather glad of that, for it seemed a lower depth to which I could not descend, even after eating with them.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
information
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
intelligent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
invited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They had to talk mostly with my husband, of course, and when they did talk to me it was through him.
joined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
joke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
kitchen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
laughed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He wanted them to let us go out and help wash the dishes, but they would not hear of it.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
lower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I confess I was rather glad of that, for it seemed a lower depth to which I could not descend, even after eating with them.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They had to talk mostly with my husband, of course, and when they did talk to me it was through him.
meeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
mostly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had to talk mostly with my husband, of course, and when they did talk to me it was through him.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading They had to talk mostly with my husband, of course, and when they did talk to me it was through him.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They had to talk mostly with my husband, of course, and when they did talk to me it was through him.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted them to let us go out and help wash the dishes, but they would not hear of it.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
premises
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
promise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
questions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I confess I was rather glad of that, for it seemed a lower depth to which I could not descend, even after eating with them.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
specific
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
spectacles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had to talk mostly with my husband, of course, and when they did talk to me it was through him.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had to talk mostly with my husband, of course, and when they did talk to me it was through him.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
thousand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading They had to talk mostly with my husband, of course, and when they did talk to me it was through him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They had to talk mostly with my husband, of course, and when they did talk to me it was through him.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They had to talk mostly with my husband, of course, and when they did talk to me it was through him.
wash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted them to let us go out and help wash the dishes, but they would not hear of it.
wastenounUS /weɪst/
an empty, uncultivated area of land
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading They had to talk mostly with my husband, of course, and when they did talk to me it was through him.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I confess I was rather glad of that, for it seemed a lower depth to which I could not descend, even after eating with them.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
wiping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they invited us out to look at the kitchen, after they had got it in order a little, and when we joined them there, whom should I see but my own dear old mother, with an apron up to her chin, wiping the glass and watching carefully through her dear old spectacles that she got everything bright!
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading They had to talk mostly with my husband, of course, and when they did talk to me it was through him.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They were very intelligent about our world, much more than we are about Altruria, though, of course, it was by deduction from premises rather than specific information, and they wanted to ask a thousand questions; but they saw the joke of it, and laughed with us when Aristides put them off with a promise that if they would have a public meeting appointed we would appear and answer all the questions anybody could think of; we were not going to waste our answers on them the first day.
