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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Jocelyns, in common with thousands of others, had made a swift descent from a position of comparative affluence to one of real, though not repulsive, poverty.
affluence
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From this reading The Jocelyns, in common with thousands of others, had made a swift descent from a position of comparative affluence to one of real, though not repulsive, poverty.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Precipitous ascents and descents do not constitute the greater part of life's journey.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
ascents
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From this reading Precipitous ascents and descents do not constitute the greater part of life's journey.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading SEVERAL QUIET FORCES AT WORK.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
common
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From this reading The Jocelyns, in common with thousands of others, had made a swift descent from a position of comparative affluence to one of real, though not repulsive, poverty.
comparative
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From this reading The Jocelyns, in common with thousands of others, had made a swift descent from a position of comparative affluence to one of real, though not repulsive, poverty.
comparatively
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From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
conduct
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From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
constitute
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From this reading Precipitous ascents and descents do not constitute the greater part of life's journey.
declinenounUS /dɪˈklaɪn/
a gradual loss of health and strength
From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading The Jocelyns, in common with thousands of others, had made a swift descent from a position of comparative affluence to one of real, though not repulsive, poverty.
descents
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From this reading Precipitous ascents and descents do not constitute the greater part of life's journey.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Precipitous ascents and descents do not constitute the greater part of life's journey.
end
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From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
experience
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From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
flinty
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From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
FORCES
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From this reading SEVERAL QUIET FORCES AT WORK.
frequently
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From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Jocelyns, in common with thousands of others, had made a swift descent from a position of comparative affluence to one of real, though not repulsive, poverty.
gaining
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From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
greater
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From this reading Precipitous ascents and descents do not constitute the greater part of life's journey.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Jocelyns, in common with thousands of others, had made a swift descent from a position of comparative affluence to one of real, though not repulsive, poverty.
hedged
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From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
intervals
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From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
Jocelyns
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From this reading The Jocelyns, in common with thousands of others, had made a swift descent from a position of comparative affluence to one of real, though not repulsive, poverty.
journeynounUS /ˈjourney/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Precipitous ascents and descents do not constitute the greater part of life's journey.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
level
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From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
life's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Precipitous ascents and descents do not constitute the greater part of life's journey.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
losing
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From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Jocelyns, in common with thousands of others, had made a swift descent from a position of comparative affluence to one of real, though not repulsive, poverty.
many
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From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Precipitous ascents and descents do not constitute the greater part of life's journey.
noticed
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From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
occur
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From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Precipitous ascents and descents do not constitute the greater part of life's journey.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Jocelyns, in common with thousands of others, had made a swift descent from a position of comparative affluence to one of real, though not repulsive, poverty.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Jocelyns, in common with thousands of others, had made a swift descent from a position of comparative affluence to one of real, though not repulsive, poverty.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Precipitous ascents and descents do not constitute the greater part of life's journey.
pass
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From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
paths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Jocelyns, in common with thousands of others, had made a swift descent from a position of comparative affluence to one of real, though not repulsive, poverty.
poverty
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From this reading The Jocelyns, in common with thousands of others, had made a swift descent from a position of comparative affluence to one of real, though not repulsive, poverty.
Precipitous
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From this reading Precipitous ascents and descents do not constitute the greater part of life's journey.
QUIET
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From this reading SEVERAL QUIET FORCES AT WORK.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Jocelyns, in common with thousands of others, had made a swift descent from a position of comparative affluence to one of real, though not repulsive, poverty.
repulsive
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From this reading The Jocelyns, in common with thousands of others, had made a swift descent from a position of comparative affluence to one of real, though not repulsive, poverty.
rough
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From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
SEVERAL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SEVERAL QUIET FORCES AT WORK.
slight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
swift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Jocelyns, in common with thousands of others, had made a swift descent from a position of comparative affluence to one of real, though not repulsive, poverty.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Precipitous ascents and descents do not constitute the greater part of life's journey.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
thorns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The Jocelyns, in common with thousands of others, had made a swift descent from a position of comparative affluence to one of real, though not repulsive, poverty.
thousands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Jocelyns, in common with thousands of others, had made a swift descent from a position of comparative affluence to one of real, though not repulsive, poverty.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
trend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
upward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the experience of very many they occur more or less frequently, but they conduct to long intervals where the way is comparatively level, although it may be flinty, rough, and hedged with thorns.
WORK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SEVERAL QUIET FORCES AT WORK.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More often the upward trend or the decline of our paths is so slight as not to be noticed as we pass on, but at the end of years we can know well whether we are gaining or losing.
