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.
affluencenounUS /ˈæfluːəns/
abundant wealth
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.
althoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/
in spite of the fact 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.
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
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.
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.
commonadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmən/
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
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.
comparativeadjectiveUS /kəmˈperətɪv/
relating to or based on or involving comparison
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.
comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/
in a relative manner; by comparison to something else
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.
conductverbUS /ˈkɑːndəkt/
direct the course of; manage or control
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.
constituteverbUS /ˈkɑːnstətuːt/
form or compose
From this reading Precipitous ascents and descents do not constitute the greater part of life's journey.
declineverbUS /dɪˈklaɪn/
grow worse
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.
descentsnounUS /dɪˈsents/
plural of “descent” — a movement downward
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.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
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.
experienceverbUS /ɪkˈspɪriəns/
undergo or live through a difficult experience
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.
flintyadjectiveUS /ˈflɪnti/
containing flint
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.
FORCESnounUS /ˈfɔːrsɪz/
plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence
From this reading SEVERAL QUIET FORCES AT WORK.
frequentlyadverbUS /ˈfriːkwəntli/
many times at short intervals
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.
gainingverbUS /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “gain” — obtain
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.
greateradjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtər/
greater in size or importance or degree
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.
hedgedadjectiveUS /hedʒd/
evasively worded in order to avoid an unqualified statement
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.
intervalsnounUS /ˈɪntərvəlz/
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
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
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.
journeyverbUS /ˈdʒɜːrni/
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading Precipitous ascents and descents do not constitute the greater part of life's journey.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
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.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
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.
levelnounUS /ˈlevəl/
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
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'snounUS /laɪfs/
possessive form of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Precipitous ascents and descents do not constitute the greater part of life's journey.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
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.
losingverbUS /ˈluːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
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.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
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.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
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.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
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.
noticedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəst/
being perceived or observed
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.
occurverbUS /əˈkɜːr/
come to pass
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.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
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 /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Precipitous ascents and descents do not constitute the greater part of life's journey.
passverbUS /pæs/
go across or through
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.
pathsnounUS /pæðz/
plural of “path” — a course of conduct
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.
positionnounUS /pəˈzɪʃən/
the particular portion of space occupied by something
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.
povertynounUS /ˈpɑːvərti/
the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions
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.
PrecipitousadjectiveUS /prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/
done with very great haste and without due deliberation
From this reading Precipitous ascents and descents do not constitute the greater part of life's journey.
QUIETadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading SEVERAL QUIET FORCES AT WORK.
realadjectiveUS /riːl/
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
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.
repulsiveadjectiveUS /riˈpʌlsɪv/
offensive to the mind
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.
roughadjectiveUS /rʌf/
having or caused by an irregular surface
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.
SEVERALadjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading SEVERAL QUIET FORCES AT WORK.
slightnounUS /slaɪt/
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
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.
swiftadjectiveUS /swɪft/
moving very fast
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.
thornsnounUS /θɔːrnz/
plural of “thorn” — something that causes irritation and annoyance
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.
thousandsnounUS /ˈθaʊzəndz/
plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
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.
trendnounUS /trend/
a general direction in which something tends to move
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.
upwardadjectiveUS /ˈʌpwərd/
directed up
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.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
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.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
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.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
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.
WORKverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading SEVERAL QUIET FORCES AT WORK.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
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.
