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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 In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
able
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From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
age
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From this reading He was in the habit of going out early in the morning, and would stay out all day, playing in the streets with idle children of his own age.
Aladdin
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From this reading His son, who was called Aladdin, had been brought up in a very careless and idle manner, and by that means had contracted many vicious habits.
all
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From this reading He was in the habit of going out early in the morning, and would stay out all day, playing in the streets with idle children of his own age.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
any
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From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His son, who was called Aladdin, had been brought up in a very careless and idle manner, and by that means had contracted many vicious habits.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading His son, who was called Aladdin, had been brought up in a very careless and idle manner, and by that means had contracted many vicious habits.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
called
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From this reading His son, who was called Aladdin, had been brought up in a very careless and idle manner, and by that means had contracted many vicious habits.
capable
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From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
capital
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From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
careless
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From this reading His son, who was called Aladdin, had been brought up in a very careless and idle manner, and by that means had contracted many vicious habits.
chastisement
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From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
children
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From this reading He was in the habit of going out early in the morning, and would stay out all day, playing in the streets with idle children of his own age.
China
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From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
consisted
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From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
contracted
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From this reading His son, who was called Aladdin, had been brought up in a very careless and idle manner, and by that means had contracted many vicious habits.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
daily
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From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
day
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From this reading He was in the habit of going out early in the morning, and would stay out all day, playing in the streets with idle children of his own age.
disobedient
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From this reading He was obstinate, and disobedient to his father and mother, who, when he grew up, could not keep him within doors.
doors
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From this reading He was obstinate, and disobedient to his father and mother, who, when he grew up, could not keep him within doors.
early
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From this reading He was in the habit of going out early in the morning, and would stay out all day, playing in the streets with idle children of his own age.
enough
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From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
family
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From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
father
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From this reading He was obstinate, and disobedient to his father and mother, who, when he grew up, could not keep him within doors.
fear
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From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
fixing
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From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
genius
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From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
going
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From this reading He was in the habit of going out early in the morning, and would stay out all day, playing in the streets with idle children of his own age.
grew
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From this reading He was obstinate, and disobedient to his father and mother, who, when he grew up, could not keep him within doors.
habit
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From this reading He was in the habit of going out early in the morning, and would stay out all day, playing in the streets with idle children of his own age.
habits
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From this reading His son, who was called Aladdin, had been brought up in a very careless and idle manner, and by that means had contracted many vicious habits.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His son, who was called Aladdin, had been brought up in a very careless and idle manner, and by that means had contracted many vicious habits.
hardly
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From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was obstinate, and disobedient to his father and mother, who, when he grew up, could not keep him within doors.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
how
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From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
idle
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From this reading His son, who was called Aladdin, had been brought up in a very careless and idle manner, and by that means had contracted many vicious habits.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
keep
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From this reading He was obstinate, and disobedient to his father and mother, who, when he grew up, could not keep him within doors.
kingdom
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From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
labour
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From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
large
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From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
learn
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From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
lived
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From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
lively
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From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
maintain
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From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
manner
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From this reading His son, who was called Aladdin, had been brought up in a very careless and idle manner, and by that means had contracted many vicious habits.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His son, who was called Aladdin, had been brought up in a very careless and idle manner, and by that means had contracted many vicious habits.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His son, who was called Aladdin, had been brought up in a very careless and idle manner, and by that means had contracted many vicious habits.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was in the habit of going out early in the morning, and would stay out all day, playing in the streets with idle children of his own age.
mother
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From this reading He was obstinate, and disobedient to his father and mother, who, when he grew up, could not keep him within doors.
Mustapha
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From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
named
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From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
needle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was obstinate, and disobedient to his father and mother, who, when he grew up, could not keep him within doors.
obstinateadjectiveUS /ˈɑːb.stə.nət/
Refusing to change your opinion or behavior despite attempts to persuade you.
From this reading He was obstinate, and disobedient to his father and mother, who, when he grew up, could not keep him within doors.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
old
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From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
other
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From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was in the habit of going out early in the morning, and would stay out all day, playing in the streets with idle children of his own age.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was in the habit of going out early in the morning, and would stay out all day, playing in the streets with idle children of his own age.
playing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was in the habit of going out early in the morning, and would stay out all day, playing in the streets with idle children of his own age.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
provincesplural nounUS /ˈprɑː.vɪn.sɪz/
Large administrative areas that form part of a country.
From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
rich
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From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
shop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
son
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From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
stay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was in the habit of going out early in the morning, and would stay out all day, playing in the streets with idle children of his own age.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was in the habit of going out early in the morning, and would stay out all day, playing in the streets with idle children of his own age.
tailor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
taught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was obstinate, and disobedient to his father and mother, who, when he grew up, could not keep him within doors.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
trade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His son, who was called Aladdin, had been brought up in a very careless and idle manner, and by that means had contracted many vicious habits.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His son, who was called Aladdin, had been brought up in a very careless and idle manner, and by that means had contracted many vicious habits.
vicious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His son, who was called Aladdin, had been brought up in a very careless and idle manner, and by that means had contracted many vicious habits.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He was obstinate, and disobedient to his father and mother, who, when he grew up, could not keep him within doors.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
wife
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From this reading In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China there lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family, which consisted of a wife and son.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was in the habit of going out early in the morning, and would stay out all day, playing in the streets with idle children of his own age.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading He was obstinate, and disobedient to his father and mother, who, when he grew up, could not keep him within doors.
words
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From this reading When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was in the habit of going out early in the morning, and would stay out all day, playing in the streets with idle children of his own age.