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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 That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
able
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From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
act
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From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
another's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
away
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From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
balm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This rare gift of sympathy was possessed by Edith Dering in a pre-eminent degree.
children
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From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
comfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
comforter
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From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
degree
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From this reading This rare gift of sympathy was possessed by Edith Dering in a pre-eminent degree.
delicate
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From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
Dering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This rare gift of sympathy was possessed by Edith Dering in a pre-eminent degree.
DOauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading WHAT TO DO NEXT?
draws
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
Edith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This rare gift of sympathy was possessed by Edith Dering in a pre-eminent degree.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
faculty
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From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
gift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
history
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
intuitive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
listen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
listening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
makes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
NEXTnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading WHAT TO DO NEXT?
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
phrenzy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
poet's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
poorer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
possessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This rare gift of sympathy was possessed by Edith Dering in a pre-eminent degree.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
pre-eminent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This rare gift of sympathy was possessed by Edith Dering in a pre-eminent degree.
property
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
rare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This rare gift of sympathy was possessed by Edith Dering in a pre-eminent degree.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
sheds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
song
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
sorrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
special
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
sting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
sufferer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
surely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
sympathy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
TOparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WHAT TO DO NEXT?
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
touch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This rare gift of sympathy was possessed by Edith Dering in a pre-eminent degree.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
WHATpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading WHAT TO DO NEXT?
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
woe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
