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 GRIF IS SET UP IN LIFE AS A MORAL SHOEBLACK.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
all
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From this reading The object of a gathering of people was not a thing to be considered--politics, religion, amusement, were all one to him.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
always
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From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
amusement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The object of a gathering of people was not a thing to be considered--politics, religion, amusement, were all one to him.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Being gregariously inclined, he was to be depended upon as an item in a mob.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
ASconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading GRIF IS SET UP IN LIFE AS A MORAL SHOEBLACK.
associate
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From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Being gregariously inclined, he was to be depended upon as an item in a mob.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
birth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
bone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
circumstance
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From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
considered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The object of a gathering of people was not a thing to be considered--politics, religion, amusement, were all one to him.
depended
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From this reading Being gregariously inclined, he was to be depended upon as an item in a mob.
dog
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From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
fellows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
gathering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The object of a gathering of people was not a thing to be considered--politics, religion, amusement, were all one to him.
gregariously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
GRIF
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From this reading GRIF IS SET UP IN LIFE AS A MORAL SHOEBLACK.
grovelling
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From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
humble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
hungry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading GRIF IS SET UP IN LIFE AS A MORAL SHOEBLACK.
inclined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading GRIF IS SET UP IN LIFE AS A MORAL SHOEBLACK.
item
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being gregariously inclined, he was to be depended upon as an item in a mob.
ladder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
LIFEnounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading GRIF IS SET UP IN LIFE AS A MORAL SHOEBLACK.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
loved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
lowest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
member
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
mob
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being gregariously inclined, he was to be depended upon as an item in a mob.
MORAL
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From this reading GRIF IS SET UP IN LIFE AS A MORAL SHOEBLACK.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The object of a gathering of people was not a thing to be considered--politics, religion, amusement, were all one to him.
object
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The object of a gathering of people was not a thing to be considered--politics, religion, amusement, were all one to him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
offered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The object of a gathering of people was not a thing to be considered--politics, religion, amusement, were all one to him.
opportunity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The object of a gathering of people was not a thing to be considered--politics, religion, amusement, were all one to him.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
politics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The object of a gathering of people was not a thing to be considered--politics, religion, amusement, were all one to him.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
prowling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
rang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
religion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The object of a gathering of people was not a thing to be considered--politics, religion, amusement, were all one to him.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
searching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
SET
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GRIF IS SET UP IN LIFE AS A MORAL SHOEBLACK.
SHOEBLACK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GRIF IS SET UP IN LIFE AS A MORAL SHOEBLACK.
social
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
species
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
striving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The object of a gathering of people was not a thing to be considered--politics, religion, amusement, were all one to him.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
UP
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GRIF IS SET UP IN LIFE AS A MORAL SHOEBLACK.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
upwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The circumstance of birth had placed him upon the lowest rang of the social ladder, and, being grovelling by nature, he had no thought of striving upwards, and was always prowling about, like a hungry dog searching for a bone.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The object of a gathering of people was not a thing to be considered--politics, religion, amusement, were all one to him.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Grif, although but a poor and humble member of the human family, was as gregariously inclined as the rest of his species, and loved, when opportunity offered, to associate with his fellows.
