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 MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
becoming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.
big
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From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
block
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From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
boss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
bosses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
break
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.
chieftain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
cities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
City
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
city's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
corrupt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
corruption
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
Croker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
crowded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
DEAR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
delivered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
employes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
explanation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
figure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
financial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
firm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
foreigners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
Hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
hideous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
ignorantnounUS /ˈignorant/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
institutions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
JUDD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
learned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
lives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
millionaires
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
MYdeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.
naturally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
New
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
officials
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
parties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
patronize
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
political
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
politics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
relative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.
Richard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
ruin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
sold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
stock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
suffice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.
Tammany
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
votes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
won't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.
York
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.
youth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.
