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Amusing Prose Chap-Books
Amusing Prose Chap-Books

Chapter III

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Context Illustration Reading 1/16 · 5 lines
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_Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.
Having only one son, he called him after his own name, Thomas.
The old man put his son to school, but he would not learn anything.
It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.
At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Amusing Prose Chap-Books

Chapter III

Reading 1/16 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.
Line 2
Having only one son, he called him after his own name, Thomas.
Line 3
The old man put his son to school, but he would not learn anything.
Line 4
It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.
Line 5
At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Having only one son, he called him after his own name, Thomas.”

Ancient adjective US /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading “_Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.”

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “The old man put his son to school, but he would not learn anything.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “_Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.”

Honest adjective US /ˈɑnɪst/

truthful and trustworthy

From this reading “_Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Having only one son, he called him after his own name, Thomas.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Having only one son, he called him after his own name, Thomas.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.”

Pleased noun US /ˈpleased/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “_Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.”

Strength noun US /ˈstrength/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “The old man put his son to school, but he would not learn anything.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “_Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.”

All words in this reading · 101

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

able

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Having only one son, he called him after his own name, Thomas.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading The old man put his son to school, but he would not learn anything.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

aside

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

ate

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

Birth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The old man put his son to school, but he would not learn anything.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

call

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

called

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Having only one son, he called him after his own name, Thomas.

Cambridgeshire

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

Conqueror

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

corner

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

day

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

delight

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

Ely

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

feet

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

five

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

God

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

hand

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

Hickathrift

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

high

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Having only one son, he called him after his own name, Thomas.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Having only one son, he called him after his own name, Thomas.

honestadjectiveUS /ˈɑnɪst/

truthful and trustworthy

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

Isle

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

labour

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

labourer

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

learn

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The old man put his son to school, but he would not learn anything.

like

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

lived

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

maintained

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

man

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

men

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

mother

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

much

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

mutton

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Having only one son, he called him after his own name, Thomas.

named

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

near

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The old man put his son to school, but he would not learn anything.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

old

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The old man put his son to school, but he would not learn anything.

once

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Having only one son, he called him after his own name, Thomas.

only

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Having only one son, he called him after his own name, Thomas.

ordinary

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

other

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

own

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Having only one son, he called him after his own name, Thomas.

Parentage

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

proportionable

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

put

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The old man put his son to school, but he would not learn anything.

read

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From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

records

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From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

reign

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From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

school

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From this reading The old man put his son to school, but he would not learn anything.

serve

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From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

shoulder

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From this reading At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

six

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From this reading At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

son

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From this reading Having only one son, he called him after his own name, Thomas.

stout

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

ten

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

tender

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From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

there

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From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

thickness

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From this reading At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

Thomas

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

three

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

Tom's

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From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

two

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

unknown

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From this reading At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

well

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From this reading It pleased God to call the old man aside, and his mother being tender of her son, she maintained him by her own labour as well as she could; but all his delight was in the corner; and he ate as much at once as would serve five ordinary men.

William

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

work

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The old man put his son to school, but he would not learn anything.

years

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From this reading At ten years old he was near six feet high, and three in thickness; his hand was much like to a shoulder of mutton, and every other part proportionable; but his great strength was yet unknown.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading _Tom's Birth and Parentage._ In the reign of William the Conqueror, having read in ancient records, there lived in the Isle of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, a man named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labourer, yet he was an honest, stout man, and able to do as much work in a day as two ordinary men.