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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 At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
acquaintance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To one with the instincts of Clare’s birth and breeding, he did not look a desirable acquaintance.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The boys went along the fence till they came to the forge, where, looking in, they saw the blacksmith working his bellows.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH AND HIS FORGE.
antecedents
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From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
bellows
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From this reading The boys went along the fence till they came to the forge, where, looking in, they saw the blacksmith working his bellows.
birth
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From this reading To one with the instincts of Clare’s birth and breeding, he did not look a desirable acquaintance.
BLACKSMITH
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From this reading THE BLACKSMITH AND HIS FORGE.
boarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
boded
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From this reading Tommy was less fastidious, but he felt that the scowl on the man’s brows boded little friendliness.
boys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boys went along the fence till they came to the forge, where, looking in, they saw the blacksmith working his bellows.
breeding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To one with the instincts of Clare’s birth and breeding, he did not look a desirable acquaintance.
brows
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From this reading Tommy was less fastidious, but he felt that the scowl on the man’s brows boded little friendliness.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Tommy was less fastidious, but he felt that the scowl on the man’s brows boded little friendliness.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
Clare's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To one with the instincts of Clare’s birth and breeding, he did not look a desirable acquaintance.
contact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
desirable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To one with the instincts of Clare’s birth and breeding, he did not look a desirable acquaintance.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
fastidious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tommy was less fastidious, but he felt that the scowl on the man’s brows boded little friendliness.
felt
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From this reading Tommy was less fastidious, but he felt that the scowl on the man’s brows boded little friendliness.
fence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
fifty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
FORGE
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From this reading THE BLACKSMITH AND HIS FORGE.
forsaken
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From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
friendliness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tommy was less fastidious, but he felt that the scowl on the man’s brows boded little friendliness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To one with the instincts of Clare’s birth and breeding, he did not look a desirable acquaintance.
HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH AND HIS FORGE.
hovel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
instincts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To one with the instincts of Clare’s birth and breeding, he did not look a desirable acquaintance.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
jobs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tommy was less fastidious, but he felt that the scowl on the man’s brows boded little friendliness.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Tommy was less fastidious, but he felt that the scowl on the man’s brows boded little friendliness.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To one with the instincts of Clare’s birth and breeding, he did not look a desirable acquaintance.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boys went along the fence till they came to the forge, where, looking in, they saw the blacksmith working his bellows.
man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tommy was less fastidious, but he felt that the scowl on the man’s brows boded little friendliness.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To one with the instincts of Clare’s birth and breeding, he did not look a desirable acquaintance.
odd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Tommy was less fastidious, but he felt that the scowl on the man’s brows boded little friendliness.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To one with the instincts of Clare’s birth and breeding, he did not look a desirable acquaintance.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
possession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
reaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
rough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boys went along the fence till they came to the forge, where, looking in, they saw the blacksmith working his bellows.
scowl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tommy was less fastidious, but he felt that the scowl on the man’s brows boded little friendliness.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Tommy was less fastidious, but he felt that the scowl on the man’s brows boded little friendliness.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH AND HIS FORGE.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The boys went along the fence till they came to the forge, where, looking in, they saw the blacksmith working his bellows.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The boys went along the fence till they came to the forge, where, looking in, they saw the blacksmith working his bellows.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
Tommy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tommy was less fastidious, but he felt that the scowl on the man’s brows boded little friendliness.
unknown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The boys went along the fence till they came to the forge, where, looking in, they saw the blacksmith working his bellows.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The boys went along the fence till they came to the forge, where, looking in, they saw the blacksmith working his bellows.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.
working
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boys went along the fence till they came to the forge, where, looking in, they saw the blacksmith working his bellows.
yards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of the wall was a rough boarded fence, in contact with it, and reaching, some fifty yards or so, to a hovel in which a blacksmith, of unknown antecedents, had taken possession of a forsaken forge, and did what odd jobs came in his way.