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 James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
advance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
Annie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
appear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
approaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
attained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
AUTHOR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF “WITHIN THE PRECINCTS,” ETC.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
begins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
Beresford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
bidding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
comes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
decade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
descending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
discuss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
discussion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
dozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
earth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
enjoyments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
enthusiastic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
ETC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF “WITHIN THE PRECINCTS,” ETC.
farewell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
footing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
forties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
grave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
greatest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
heaven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
history
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
impulsive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
James
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
joke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
laugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
legitimate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
level
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
married
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
nervous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AUTHOR OF “WITHIN THE PRECINCTS,” ETC.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
philosophical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
plateaunounUS /plateau/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
PRECINCTS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF “WITHIN THE PRECINCTS,” ETC.
prejudices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
progress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
solid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
speculative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AUTHOR OF “WITHIN THE PRECINCTS,” ETC.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
theory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
thirty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
twelve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
twenties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
twenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They had both got footing on that plateau of middle age which, if it comes to something like level ground at thirty, need not think of a descending step for twenty years--the time of the greatest enjoyments and most solid progress of life.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
WITHINprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading AUTHOR OF “WITHIN THE PRECINCTS,” ETC.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading She was impulsive, enthusiastic and nervous; he philosophical and speculative, a man ready to discuss any theory in earth or heaven, and without any prejudices such as might make one subject of discussion appear less legitimate than another.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Beresford and Annie his wife had been married for more than a dozen years--their only child, indeed, had nearly attained the age of twelve at the time when this history begins.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
youth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was at one end and she at the other of the first decade; the one approaching the forties, the other scarcely well out of the twenties; both ready to laugh at the advance of years, which was as yet but a joke to them, and neither having thought of bidding any grave farewell to youth.
