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Harry Joscelyn
Harry Joscelyn

Chapter III

Cover illustration for Harry Joscelyn
Context Illustration Reading 1/38 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE YOUNGEST SON.
Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.
Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.
Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Harry Joscelyn

Chapter III

Reading 1/38 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE YOUNGEST SON.
Line 2
Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.
Line 3
Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.
Line 4
Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.
Line 5
Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

Learner Dictionary

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

Accounts noun US /ˈaccounts/

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

From this reading “Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.”

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.”

Books noun US /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading “Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.”

All words in this reading · 108

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 Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

accountsnounUS /ˈaccounts/

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

From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

advantages

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

all

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

always

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

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.

ancestry

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

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

attached

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

attempts

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

better

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

child

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

clergyman's

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

contrary

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

conviction

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

daughter

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

deal

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

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.

decidedly

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

doubtful

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

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

education

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

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.

enlightened

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

fact

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

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

got

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

grandeur

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

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

Harry

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

horses

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

house

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

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.

husband's

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

impatient

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

Joscelyn

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

Joscelyns

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

learning

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

lived

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

made

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

more

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

From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

mother

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

much

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

natural

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

From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

necessary

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

From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

necessity

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

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.

nervous

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

Notwithstanding

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

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.

nursery

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

occurred

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

From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

only

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

out

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

Ralph

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

From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

read

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

From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

reputation

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

said

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

school

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

From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

secure

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

side

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From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

SON

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From this reading THE YOUNGEST SON.

sons

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From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

strengthened

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From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

SuchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

superstitious

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From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

supposed

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From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

sweet-tempered

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From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE YOUNGEST SON.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

up

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From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

vague

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From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.

value

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From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

very

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

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the Joscelyns thought a great deal of themselves, and the vague grandeur of their ancestry, education had always been a very doubtful necessity in the house.

wanted

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

From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

ways

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

worth

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

From this reading Such nervous attempts as their mother made to secure for them advantages to which she on her side, as a clergyman’s daughter, attached a value which was more superstitious than enlightened, only strengthened her husband’s conviction that the ways of horses were much better worth learning than anything that could be got out of books.

write

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From this reading Ralph Joscelyn himself had been at school it was supposed in the natural course, and could write and read and make up his accounts, which was all that was necessary; and it had not occurred to him that his sons wanted more.

years

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.

YOUNGEST

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From this reading THE YOUNGEST SON.

youth

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

From this reading Harry Joscelyn had been said in the nursery to be a sweet-tempered child; and he had lived upon the reputation through all the impatient years of youth, during which he had not been sweet-tempered, but decidedly “contrary,” as all the Joscelyns were.