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 William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
accelerated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
acquaintance
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From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
action
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From this reading Tenacity was William's greatest asset; when he adopted a line of action he "stayed with it," to use his own expressive phraseology.
adopted
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From this reading Tenacity was William's greatest asset; when he adopted a line of action he "stayed with it," to use his own expressive phraseology.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Reformations are slow--except when they're sudden.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
asset
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tenacity was William's greatest asset; when he adopted a line of action he "stayed with it," to use his own expressive phraseology.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
attendant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
attentive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
axe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
consistent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
doubtful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
effort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading Reformations are slow--except when they're sudden.
expressive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tenacity was William's greatest asset; when he adopted a line of action he "stayed with it," to use his own expressive phraseology.
firewood-chopping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
greatest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tenacity was William's greatest asset; when he adopted a line of action he "stayed with it," to use his own expressive phraseology.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Tenacity was William's greatest asset; when he adopted a line of action he "stayed with it," to use his own expressive phraseology.
histories
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
history
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
individuals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
instrument
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Tenacity was William's greatest asset; when he adopted a line of action he "stayed with it," to use his own expressive phraseology.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
judging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
lessons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
limited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tenacity was William's greatest asset; when he adopted a line of action he "stayed with it," to use his own expressive phraseology.
materially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
nations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
occasional
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tenacity was William's greatest asset; when he adopted a line of action he "stayed with it," to use his own expressive phraseology.
phraseology
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tenacity was William's greatest asset; when he adopted a line of action he "stayed with it," to use his own expressive phraseology.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
Reformations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reformations are slow--except when they're sudden.
reformer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
reformers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
Sally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
slow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reformations are slow--except when they're sudden.
Some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
spells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
spoken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
started
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
stayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tenacity was William's greatest asset; when he adopted a line of action he "stayed with it," to use his own expressive phraseology.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Reformations are slow--except when they're sudden.
suffering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
Tenacity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tenacity was William's greatest asset; when he adopted a line of action he "stayed with it," to use his own expressive phraseology.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
they're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reformations are slow--except when they're sudden.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
toil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
unlike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
value
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Reformations are slow--except when they're sudden.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
William's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading William's acquaintance with the axe was limited to its use as an instrument for occasional spells of firewood-chopping: but at heart he was a reformer, and, unlike most reformers--judging them, of course, by the doubtful value of histories--he started upon himself.
writing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having found the place spoken of in the letter to Sally, where he could take night lessons in history, reading, and writing, William became an attentive and consistent attendant.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some reformations--of individuals as well as nations--have followed upon years of effort, toil, and suffering: others have been materially accelerated by the use of the axe.
