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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 The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
afterward
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From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
all
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From this reading As the hearth was the basis of all domestic ties, Vesta was considered the guardian of family happiness, and her worship was an essential part of the family life.
altar-fire
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From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As the hearth was the basis of all domestic ties, Vesta was considered the guardian of family happiness, and her worship was an essential part of the family life.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Vestals Vesta was the oldest child of Saturn and Rhea, and was the goddess of the family hearth.
any
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From this reading If a suppliant was seeking protection from any danger, it was to a man's hearth that he came as a sure place of refuge.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the hearth was the basis of all domestic ties, Vesta was considered the guardian of family happiness, and her worship was an essential part of the family life.
basis
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From this reading As the hearth was the basis of all domestic ties, Vesta was considered the guardian of family happiness, and her worship was an essential part of the family life.
bond
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From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
came
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From this reading If a suppliant was seeking protection from any danger, it was to a man's hearth that he came as a sure place of refuge.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
child
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From this reading The Vestals Vesta was the oldest child of Saturn and Rhea, and was the goddess of the family hearth.
claim
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From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
common
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From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
considered
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From this reading As the hearth was the basis of all domestic ties, Vesta was considered the guardian of family happiness, and her worship was an essential part of the family life.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
danger
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From this reading If a suppliant was seeking protection from any danger, it was to a man's hearth that he came as a sure place of refuge.
days
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From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
domestic
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From this reading As the hearth was the basis of all domestic ties, Vesta was considered the guardian of family happiness, and her worship was an essential part of the family life.
essential
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From this reading As the hearth was the basis of all domestic ties, Vesta was considered the guardian of family happiness, and her worship was an essential part of the family life.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
family
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From this reading The Vestals Vesta was the oldest child of Saturn and Rhea, and was the goddess of the family hearth.
food
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From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading If a suppliant was seeking protection from any danger, it was to a man's hearth that he came as a sure place of refuge.
gathered
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From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
generally
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From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
goddess
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From this reading The Vestals Vesta was the oldest child of Saturn and Rhea, and was the goddess of the family hearth.
greater
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From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
guardian
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From this reading As the hearth was the basis of all domestic ties, Vesta was considered the guardian of family happiness, and her worship was an essential part of the family life.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
happiness
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From this reading As the hearth was the basis of all domestic ties, Vesta was considered the guardian of family happiness, and her worship was an essential part of the family life.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
hearth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Vestals Vesta was the oldest child of Saturn and Rhea, and was the goddess of the family hearth.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As the hearth was the basis of all domestic ties, Vesta was considered the guardian of family happiness, and her worship was an essential part of the family life.
hospitality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
household
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From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If a suppliant was seeking protection from any danger, it was to a man's hearth that he came as a sure place of refuge.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
lay
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From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As the hearth was the basis of all domestic ties, Vesta was considered the guardian of family happiness, and her worship was an essential part of the family life.
made
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From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
man's
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From this reading If a suppliant was seeking protection from any danger, it was to a man's hearth that he came as a sure place of refuge.
master's
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From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
meal
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From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
modern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
much
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From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Vestals Vesta was the oldest child of Saturn and Rhea, and was the goddess of the family hearth.
offered
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From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
oldest
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From this reading The Vestals Vesta was the oldest child of Saturn and Rhea, and was the goddess of the family hearth.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As the hearth was the basis of all domestic ties, Vesta was considered the guardian of family happiness, and her worship was an essential part of the family life.
partook
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From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
place
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From this reading If a suppliant was seeking protection from any danger, it was to a man's hearth that he came as a sure place of refuge.
prayers
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From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
protection
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From this reading If a suppliant was seeking protection from any danger, it was to a man's hearth that he came as a sure place of refuge.
recognized
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From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
refuge
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From this reading If a suppliant was seeking protection from any danger, it was to a man's hearth that he came as a sure place of refuge.
Rhea
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From this reading The Vestals Vesta was the oldest child of Saturn and Rhea, and was the goddess of the family hearth.
sacrifices
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From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
Saturn
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From this reading The Vestals Vesta was the oldest child of Saturn and Rhea, and was the goddess of the family hearth.
seeking
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From this reading If a suppliant was seeking protection from any danger, it was to a man's hearth that he came as a sure place of refuge.
shared
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From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
significance
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From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
suppliant
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From this reading If a suppliant was seeking protection from any danger, it was to a man's hearth that he came as a sure place of refuge.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If a suppliant was seeking protection from any danger, it was to a man's hearth that he came as a sure place of refuge.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Vestals Vesta was the oldest child of Saturn and Rhea, and was the goddess of the family hearth.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
there
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From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
ties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the hearth was the basis of all domestic ties, Vesta was considered the guardian of family happiness, and her worship was an essential part of the family life.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
union
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
VestanounUS /ˈvestə/
(Roman mythology) goddess of the hearth and its fire whose flame was tended by vestal virgins; counterpart of Greek Hestia
From this reading The Vestals Vesta was the oldest child of Saturn and Rhea, and was the goddess of the family hearth.
Vestals
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From this reading The Vestals Vesta was the oldest child of Saturn and Rhea, and was the goddess of the family hearth.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Vestals Vesta was the oldest child of Saturn and Rhea, and was the goddess of the family hearth.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The hearth in ancient days had a much greater significance than in modern times, for it was the center of the household, around which the family gathered for their common meal and common worship.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading On the hearth, as an altar-fire, the head of the household offered prayers and sacrifices; and it made a bond of union so generally recognized that he who partook of food there, or who shared in the family worship, could ever afterward lay claim to the master's hospitality.
worship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the hearth was the basis of all domestic ties, Vesta was considered the guardian of family happiness, and her worship was an essential part of the family life.
