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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 Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
aged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very lonely and desolate would the home of Grandfather Markham have been without the presence of Madeline, but with her there, the old red farmhouse seemed to the aged couple like a paradise.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
barren
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Very lonely and desolate would the home of Grandfather Markham have been without the presence of Madeline, but with her there, the old red farmhouse seemed to the aged couple like a paradise.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
bitter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
blessings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
change
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But a change was coming over them.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
China
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
Clyde
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But a change was coming over them.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
daughter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
desolate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very lonely and desolate would the home of Grandfather Markham have been without the presence of Madeline, but with her there, the old red farmhouse seemed to the aged couple like a paradise.
died
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
dim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
farmhouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very lonely and desolate would the home of Grandfather Markham have been without the presence of Madeline, but with her there, the old red farmhouse seemed to the aged couple like a paradise.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
Forty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
God
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
Grandfather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very lonely and desolate would the home of Grandfather Markham have been without the presence of Madeline, but with her there, the old red farmhouse seemed to the aged couple like a paradise.
grandparents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Very lonely and desolate would the home of Grandfather Markham have been without the presence of Madeline, but with her there, the old red farmhouse seemed to the aged couple like a paradise.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
homestead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
joy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very lonely and desolate would the home of Grandfather Markham have been without the presence of Madeline, but with her there, the old red farmhouse seemed to the aged couple like a paradise.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
lonely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very lonely and desolate would the home of Grandfather Markham have been without the presence of Madeline, but with her there, the old red farmhouse seemed to the aged couple like a paradise.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
Maddy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
Madeline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very lonely and desolate would the home of Grandfather Markham have been without the presence of Madeline, but with her there, the old red farmhouse seemed to the aged couple like a paradise.
Madge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
Markham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very lonely and desolate would the home of Grandfather Markham have been without the presence of Madeline, but with her there, the old red farmhouse seemed to the aged couple like a paradise.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
mother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But a change was coming over them.
paradise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very lonely and desolate would the home of Grandfather Markham have been without the presence of Madeline, but with her there, the old red farmhouse seemed to the aged couple like a paradise.
peace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
pray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very lonely and desolate would the home of Grandfather Markham have been without the presence of Madeline, but with her there, the old red farmhouse seemed to the aged couple like a paradise.
pride
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very lonely and desolate would the home of Grandfather Markham have been without the presence of Madeline, but with her there, the old red farmhouse seemed to the aged couple like a paradise.
rested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/
went away to a private place
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
Richard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
risen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
rocky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
sad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
sadder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
saving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
schoolmates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Very lonely and desolate would the home of Grandfather Markham have been without the presence of Madeline, but with her there, the old red farmhouse seemed to the aged couple like a paradise.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
soil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
sorrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
suited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
tenderness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
thankful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
tilling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
truly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
unutterable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
Very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very lonely and desolate would the home of Grandfather Markham have been without the presence of Madeline, but with her there, the old red farmhouse seemed to the aged couple like a paradise.
voices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
vouchsafed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
voyage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their only daughter’s only child, she had lived with them since her mother’s death, for her father was a sea captain, who never returned from his last voyage to China, made two months before she was born.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Very lonely and desolate would the home of Grandfather Markham have been without the presence of Madeline, but with her there, the old red farmhouse seemed to the aged couple like a paradise.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Very lonely and desolate would the home of Grandfather Markham have been without the presence of Madeline, but with her there, the old red farmhouse seemed to the aged couple like a paradise.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty years they had lived there, tilling the rather barren soil of the rocky homestead, and, saving the sad night when they heard that Richard Clyde was lost at sea, and the far sadder morning when their daughter died, bitter sorrow had not come to them; and, truly thankful for the blessings so long vouchsafed them, they had retired each night in peace with God and man, and risen each morning to pray.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge her schoolmates called her, because the name suited her, they said; but Maddy they called her at home, and there was a world of unutterable tenderness in the voices of the old couple, her grandparents, when they said that name, while their dim eyes lighted up with pride and joy when they rested upon the young girl who answered to the name of Maddy.
