adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AT THE CONCERT Herbert felt a little diffident about accepting his employer's invitation to dinner.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading AT THE CONCERT Herbert felt a little diffident about accepting his employer's invitation to dinner.
acceptingadjectiveUS /ækˈseptɪŋ/
tolerating without protest
From this reading AT THE CONCERT Herbert felt a little diffident about accepting his employer's invitation to dinner.
acquaintancenounUS /əˈkweɪntəns/
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
acquitverbUS /əˈkwɪt/
pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
From this reading Then his modest self-possession was of value to him, and enabled him to acquit himself very creditably.
afraidadjectiveUS /əˈfreɪd/
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
animatedadjectiveUS /ˈænəmeɪtɪd/
having life or vigor or spirit
From this reading Julia Godfrey, the merchant's only daughter, was a lively and animated girl, a year or two younger than Herbert.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT THE CONCERT Herbert felt a little diffident about accepting his employer's invitation to dinner.
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 But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
BroughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
comparativeadjectiveUS /kəmˈperətɪv/
relating to or based on or involving comparison
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
CONCERTnounUS /ˈkɑːnsərt/
a performance of music by players or singers not involving theatrical staging
From this reading AT THE CONCERT Herbert felt a little diffident about accepting his employer's invitation to dinner.
converseverbUS /ˈkɑːnvərs/
carry on a conversation
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
creditablyadverbUS /ˈkredətəbli/
to a tolerably worthy extent
From this reading Then his modest self-possession was of value to him, and enabled him to acquit himself very creditably.
daughternounUS /ˈdɔːtər/
a female human offspring
From this reading Julia Godfrey, the merchant's only daughter, was a lively and animated girl, a year or two younger than Herbert.
diffidentadjective
showing modest reserve
From this reading AT THE CONCERT Herbert felt a little diffident about accepting his employer's invitation to dinner.
diligentlyadverbUS /ˈdɪlədʒəntli/
with diligence; in a diligent manner
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
diningnounUS /ˈdaɪnɪŋ/
the act of eating dinner
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading AT THE CONCERT Herbert felt a little diffident about accepting his employer's invitation to dinner.
educationnounUS /ˌedʒəˈkeɪʃən/
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
employer'snounUS /emˈplɔɪərz/
possessive form of “employer” — a person or firm that employs workers
From this reading AT THE CONCERT Herbert felt a little diffident about accepting his employer's invitation to dinner.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
etiquettenounUS /ˈetəkət/
rules governing socially acceptable behavior
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading AT THE CONCERT Herbert felt a little diffident about accepting his employer's invitation to dinner.
fundnounUS /fʌnd/
a reserve of money set aside for some purpose
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
generaladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
getverbUS /ɡet/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
girlnounUS /ɡɜːrl/
a young female
From this reading Julia Godfrey, the merchant's only daughter, was a lively and animated girl, a year or two younger than Herbert.
Godfrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julia Godfrey, the merchant's only daughter, was a lively and animated girl, a year or two younger than Herbert.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
HerbertnounUS /ˈhɜːrbərt/
United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)
From this reading AT THE CONCERT Herbert felt a little diffident about accepting his employer's invitation to dinner.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Then his modest self-possession was of value to him, and enabled him to acquit himself very creditably.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading AT THE CONCERT Herbert felt a little diffident about accepting his employer's invitation to dinner.
holdverbUS /hoʊld/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
informationnounUS /ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/
a message received and understood
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
intelligentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtelɪdʒəntli/
in an intelligent manner
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
invitationnounUS /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading AT THE CONCERT Herbert felt a little diffident about accepting his employer's invitation to dinner.
Julia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julia Godfrey, the merchant's only daughter, was a lively and animated girl, a year or two younger than Herbert.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading AT THE CONCERT Herbert felt a little diffident about accepting his employer's invitation to dinner.
livelyadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪvli/
full of life and energy
From this reading Julia Godfrey, the merchant's only daughter, was a lively and animated girl, a year or two younger than Herbert.
merchant'snounUS /ˈmɜːrtʃənts/
possessive form of “merchant” — a businessperson engaged in retail trade
From this reading Julia Godfrey, the merchant's only daughter, was a lively and animated girl, a year or two younger than Herbert.
modestadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdəst/
marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
From this reading Then his modest self-possession was of value to him, and enabled him to acquit himself very creditably.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Julia Godfrey, the merchant's only daughter, was a lively and animated girl, a year or two younger than Herbert.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Julia Godfrey, the merchant's only daughter, was a lively and animated girl, a year or two younger than Herbert.
ordinarynounUS /ˈɔːrdəneri/
a judge of a probate court
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
possessedadjectiveUS /pəˈzest/
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
povertynounUS /ˈpɑːvərti/
the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
self-possessionnoun
the trait of resolutely controlling your own behavior
From this reading Then his modest self-possession was of value to him, and enabled him to acquit himself very creditably.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
showverbUS /ʃoʊ/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT THE CONCERT Herbert felt a little diffident about accepting his employer's invitation to dinner.
ThenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then his modest self-possession was of value to him, and enabled him to acquit himself very creditably.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AT THE CONCERT Herbert felt a little diffident about accepting his employer's invitation to dinner.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Julia Godfrey, the merchant's only daughter, was a lively and animated girl, a year or two younger than Herbert.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
valuenounUS /ˈvæljuː/
a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed
From this reading Then his modest self-possession was of value to him, and enabled him to acquit himself very creditably.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Then his modest self-possession was of value to him, and enabled him to acquit himself very creditably.
wantverbUS /wɑːnt/
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then his modest self-possession was of value to him, and enabled him to acquit himself very creditably.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table.
yearnounUS /jɪr/
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Julia Godfrey, the merchant's only daughter, was a lively and animated girl, a year or two younger than Herbert.
youngeradjectiveUS /ˈjʌŋɡər/
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading Julia Godfrey, the merchant's only daughter, was a lively and animated girl, a year or two younger than Herbert.
