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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 It was a nice sickly season just at this time.
acquired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In commercial phrase, coffins were looking up; and, in the course of a few weeks, Oliver acquired a great deal of experience.
ACTION
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From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
admiration
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From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
apprenticed
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From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
ASTONISHES
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From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was a nice sickly season just at this time.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
BEINGauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
BYprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
coffins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In commercial phrase, coffins were looking up; and, in the course of a few weeks, Oliver acquired a great deal of experience.
commercial
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From this reading In commercial phrase, coffins were looking up; and, in the course of a few weeks, Oliver acquired a great deal of experience.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In commercial phrase, coffins were looking up; and, in the course of a few weeks, Oliver acquired a great deal of experience.
deal
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From this reading In commercial phrase, coffins were looking up; and, in the course of a few weeks, Oliver acquired a great deal of experience.
down
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From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
emotion
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From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The success of Mr. Sowerberry’s ingenious speculation, exceeded even his most sanguine hopes.
exceeded
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From this reading The success of Mr. Sowerberry’s ingenious speculation, exceeded even his most sanguine hopes.
existence
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From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
experience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In commercial phrase, coffins were looking up; and, in the course of a few weeks, Oliver acquired a great deal of experience.
fatal
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From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
few
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From this reading In commercial phrase, coffins were looking up; and, in the course of a few weeks, Oliver acquired a great deal of experience.
formally
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From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
GOADED
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From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In commercial phrase, coffins were looking up; and, in the course of a few weeks, Oliver acquired a great deal of experience.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
hat-band
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
headed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
HIMpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The success of Mr. Sowerberry’s ingenious speculation, exceeded even his most sanguine hopes.
hopes
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From this reading The success of Mr. Sowerberry’s ingenious speculation, exceeded even his most sanguine hopes.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In commercial phrase, coffins were looking up; and, in the course of a few weeks, Oliver acquired a great deal of experience.
indescribableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈskraɪbəbəl/
too intense to describe too intense or unusual to describe clearly
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
infant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
ingeniousadjectiveUS /ɪnˈdʒiː.ni.əs/
Clever, original, and remarkably inventive in design and execution.
From this reading The success of Mr. Sowerberry’s ingenious speculation, exceeded even his most sanguine hopes.
inhabitants
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From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
INTOprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a nice sickly season just at this time.
just
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From this reading It was a nice sickly season just at this time.
knees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In commercial phrase, coffins were looking up; and, in the course of a few weeks, Oliver acquired a great deal of experience.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
measles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
month's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
most
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From this reading The success of Mr. Sowerberry’s ingenious speculation, exceeded even his most sanguine hopes.
mothers
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From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
mournful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The success of Mr. Sowerberry’s ingenious speculation, exceeded even his most sanguine hopes.
nice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a nice sickly season just at this time.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
NOAH
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From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
oldest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
OLIVERnounUS /ˈɑːləvər/
United States jazz musician who influenced the style of Louis Armstrong (1885-1938)
From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
period
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
phrase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In commercial phrase, coffins were looking up; and, in the course of a few weeks, Oliver acquired a great deal of experience.
prevalent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
processions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
RATHER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
reaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
recollected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
ROUSES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
sanguine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The success of Mr. Sowerberry’s ingenious speculation, exceeded even his most sanguine hopes.
season
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a nice sickly season just at this time.
sickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a nice sickly season just at this time.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
Sowerberry's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The success of Mr. Sowerberry’s ingenious speculation, exceeded even his most sanguine hopes.
speculation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The success of Mr. Sowerberry’s ingenious speculation, exceeded even his most sanguine hopes.
success
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The success of Mr. Sowerberry’s ingenious speculation, exceeded even his most sanguine hopes.
TAUNTS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was a nice sickly season just at this time.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a nice sickly season just at this time.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
trial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In commercial phrase, coffins were looking up; and, in the course of a few weeks, Oliver acquired a great deal of experience.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In commercial phrase, coffins were looking up; and, in the course of a few weeks, Oliver acquired a great deal of experience.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In commercial phrase, coffins were looking up; and, in the course of a few weeks, Oliver acquired a great deal of experience.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town.
