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 My father was a St. Bernard, my mother was a collie, but I am a Presbyterian.
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading My father was a St. Bernard, my mother was a collie, but I am a Presbyterian.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To me they are only fine large words meaning nothing.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
Bernard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My father was a St. Bernard, my mother was a collie, but I am a Presbyterian.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My father was a St. Bernard, my mother was a collie, but I am a Presbyterian.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
collie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My father was a St. Bernard, my mother was a collie, but I am a Presbyterian.
company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
dining-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
distinctions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is what my mother told me, I do not know these nice distinctions myself.
distressnounUS /dɪˈstrɛs/
extreme sadness or suffering
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading This is what my mother told me, I do not know these nice distinctions myself.
dogmatic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
dogs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
education
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
envious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My father was a St. Bernard, my mother was a collie, but I am a Presbyterian.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To me they are only fine large words meaning nothing.
fondness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
gathering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading My father was a St. Bernard, my mother was a collie, but I am a Presbyterian.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This is what my mother told me, I do not know these nice distinctions myself.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This is what my mother told me, I do not know these nice distinctions myself.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To me they are only fine large words meaning nothing.
liked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
listening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
mastiff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This is what my mother told me, I do not know these nice distinctions myself.
meaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To me they are only fine large words meaning nothing.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My father was a St. Bernard, my mother was a collie, but I am a Presbyterian.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My father was a St. Bernard, my mother was a collie, but I am a Presbyterian.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading This is what my mother told me, I do not know these nice distinctions myself.
neighborhood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
nice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is what my mother told me, I do not know these nice distinctions myself.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This is what my mother told me, I do not know these nice distinctions myself.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading To me they are only fine large words meaning nothing.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To me they are only fine large words meaning nothing.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
pocket-pup
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
Presbyterian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My father was a St. Bernard, my mother was a collie, but I am a Presbyterian.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
rewarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
show
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My father was a St. Bernard, my mother was a collie, but I am a Presbyterian.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
Sunday-school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading This is what my mother told me, I do not know these nice distinctions myself.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To me they are only fine large words meaning nothing.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This is what my mother told me, I do not know these nice distinctions myself.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To me they are only fine large words meaning nothing.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This is what my mother told me, I do not know these nice distinctions myself.
trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My father was a St. Bernard, my mother was a collie, but I am a Presbyterian.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading This is what my mother told me, I do not know these nice distinctions myself.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
wheneverconjunctionUS /weˈnevər/
at any time that; every time that
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
wondering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got so much education.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To me they are only fine large words meaning nothing.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble.
