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 It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
aches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
adversitynounUS /ədˈvɝː.sə.t̬i/
Difficulties; misfortune and hardship faced with courage.
From this reading Cold, bitter cold as December, and bleak as its blasts, seemed the world then to me; there is no misanthrope like a boy disappointed; and such was I, with the warmth of me flogged out by adversity.
age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
aunts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
bitter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cold, bitter cold as December, and bleak as its blasts, seemed the world then to me; there is no misanthrope like a boy disappointed; and such was I, with the warmth of me flogged out by adversity.
bitterlyadverbUS /ˈbɪtərli/
in a way that shows deep pain or grief
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
blasts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cold, bitter cold as December, and bleak as its blasts, seemed the world then to me; there is no misanthrope like a boy disappointed; and such was I, with the warmth of me flogged out by adversity.
bleak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cold, bitter cold as December, and bleak as its blasts, seemed the world then to me; there is no misanthrope like a boy disappointed; and such was I, with the warmth of me flogged out by adversity.
bosom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Cold, bitter cold as December, and bleak as its blasts, seemed the world then to me; there is no misanthrope like a boy disappointed; and such was I, with the warmth of me flogged out by adversity.
Cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cold, bitter cold as December, and bleak as its blasts, seemed the world then to me; there is no misanthrope like a boy disappointed; and such was I, with the warmth of me flogged out by adversity.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
December
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cold, bitter cold as December, and bleak as its blasts, seemed the world then to me; there is no misanthrope like a boy disappointed; and such was I, with the warmth of me flogged out by adversity.
disappointed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cold, bitter cold as December, and bleak as its blasts, seemed the world then to me; there is no misanthrope like a boy disappointed; and such was I, with the warmth of me flogged out by adversity.
dreams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
erring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
flogged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cold, bitter cold as December, and bleak as its blasts, seemed the world then to me; there is no misanthrope like a boy disappointed; and such was I, with the warmth of me flogged out by adversity.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
glory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
hardhearted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
hearts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Cold, bitter cold as December, and bleak as its blasts, seemed the world then to me; there is no misanthrope like a boy disappointed; and such was I, with the warmth of me flogged out by adversity.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Cold, bitter cold as December, and bleak as its blasts, seemed the world then to me; there is no misanthrope like a boy disappointed; and such was I, with the warmth of me flogged out by adversity.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
learned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cold, bitter cold as December, and bleak as its blasts, seemed the world then to me; there is no misanthrope like a boy disappointed; and such was I, with the warmth of me flogged out by adversity.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
misanthrope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cold, bitter cold as December, and bleak as its blasts, seemed the world then to me; there is no misanthrope like a boy disappointed; and such was I, with the warmth of me flogged out by adversity.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
mounting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cold, bitter cold as December, and bleak as its blasts, seemed the world then to me; there is no misanthrope like a boy disappointed; and such was I, with the warmth of me flogged out by adversity.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
parted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
patrons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
reader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Cold, bitter cold as December, and bleak as its blasts, seemed the world then to me; there is no misanthrope like a boy disappointed; and such was I, with the warmth of me flogged out by adversity.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
sixty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Cold, bitter cold as December, and bleak as its blasts, seemed the world then to me; there is no misanthrope like a boy disappointed; and such was I, with the warmth of me flogged out by adversity.
sympathizing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cold, bitter cold as December, and bleak as its blasts, seemed the world then to me; there is no misanthrope like a boy disappointed; and such was I, with the warmth of me flogged out by adversity.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cold, bitter cold as December, and bleak as its blasts, seemed the world then to me; there is no misanthrope like a boy disappointed; and such was I, with the warmth of me flogged out by adversity.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
unambitious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
uncles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
uncongenial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
warmth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cold, bitter cold as December, and bleak as its blasts, seemed the world then to me; there is no misanthrope like a boy disappointed; and such was I, with the warmth of me flogged out by adversity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
willful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with a heavy heart and full eyes, that my poor mother parted with me; perhaps she thought me an erring and a willful boy, and perhaps I was; but if I was, it had been a hardhearted world, and hard times that had made me so.
Yes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, I will go to sea; cut my kind uncles and aunts, and sympathizing patrons, and leave no heavy hearts but those in my own home, and take none along but the one which aches in my bosom.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading But these thoughts are bitter enough even now, for they have not yet gone quite away; and they must be uncongenial enough to the reader; so no more of that, and let me go on with my story.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had learned to think much and bitterly before my time; all my young mounting dreams of glory had left me; and at that early age, I was as unambitious as a man of sixty.
