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Rose Clark
Rose Clark

Chapter VIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/16 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
And now the minister and his gentle wife had their own sorrow to bear.
_The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.
"The baby" may not be pretty to any, save those who gave it being.
Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.
Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Rose Clark

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/16 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
And now the minister and his gentle wife had their own sorrow to bear.
Line 2
_The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.
Line 3
"The baby" may not be pretty to any, save those who gave it being.
Line 4
Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.
Line 5
Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.

Learner Dictionary

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

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “"The baby" may not be pretty to any, save those who gave it being.”

Dead noun US /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “_The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “_The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.”

Length noun US /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading “Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “_The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “"The baby" may not be pretty to any, save those who gave it being.”

Mortal adjective US /ˈmɔːrtəl/

causing or relating to death

From this reading “Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.”

Purity noun US /ˈpjʊrəti/

the state of being morally clean and innocent

From this reading “Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.”

Save preposition US /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading “"The baby" may not be pretty to any, save those who gave it being.”

Step noun US /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “_The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “_The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.”

All words in this reading · 113

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 Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

ah

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

all

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And now the minister and his gentle wife had their own sorrow to bear.

any

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

From this reading "The baby" may not be pretty to any, save those who gave it being.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading _The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

baby

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

From this reading _The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading "The baby" may not be pretty to any, save those who gave it being.

bear

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

From this reading And now the minister and his gentle wife had their own sorrow to bear.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading "The baby" may not be pretty to any, save those who gave it being.

bends

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

brow

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

busy

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading _The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

call

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

From this reading Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.

care

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

circle

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

clamorous

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

contending

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

conveys

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

From this reading _The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.

cradle

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

crosses

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

day

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

deadnounUS /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading _The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.

din

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

disgusted

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

down

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

drown

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

From this reading Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.

duplicity

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

enough

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

From this reading Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading _The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.

faintest

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

From this reading Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.

gave

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

From this reading "The baby" may not be pretty to any, save those who gave it being.

gentle

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

From this reading And now the minister and his gentle wife had their own sorrow to bear.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading And now the minister and his gentle wife had their own sorrow to bear.

heart-string

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

From this reading _The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.

heaven's

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading And now the minister and his gentle wife had their own sorrow to bear.

home

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

hunger

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

From this reading Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading _The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.

ItsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

jostling

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

lengthnounUS /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

lip

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading _The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

loud

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From this reading Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "The baby" may not be pretty to any, save those who gave it being.

meaning

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From this reading _The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.

minister

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From this reading And now the minister and his gentle wife had their own sorrow to bear.

mortaladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrtəl/

causing or relating to death

From this reading Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "The baby" may not be pretty to any, save those who gave it being.

now

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From this reading And now the minister and his gentle wife had their own sorrow to bear.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

others

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From this reading _The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

overreaching

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From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

own

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From this reading And now the minister and his gentle wife had their own sorrow to bear.

pain

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From this reading Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.

pangs

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From this reading Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.

peaceful

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

phrase

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From this reading _The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.

pretty

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From this reading "The baby" may not be pretty to any, save those who gave it being.

puritynounUS /ˈpjʊrəti/

the state of being morally clean and innocent

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

reward

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From this reading Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.

saveprepositionUS /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading "The baby" may not be pretty to any, save those who gave it being.

seamed

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From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

selfishness

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

sickened

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From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

sitting

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

sleeper

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

smile

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

sorrow

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

From this reading And now the minister and his gentle wife had their own sorrow to bear.

stepnounUS /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading _The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading And now the minister and his gentle wife had their own sorrow to bear.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading And now the minister and his gentle wife had their own sorrow to bear.

There

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

From this reading _The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.

thirst

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

From this reading Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading _The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.

threshhold

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From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

thrills

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

From this reading _The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.

throes

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

From this reading Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading And now the minister and his gentle wife had their own sorrow to bear.

tottering

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From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

trade

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

traffic

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

trickeries

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

trifles

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

united

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From this reading Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

wail

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

From this reading Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading _The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.

weariness

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

From this reading Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.

weary

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Not to _her_; to whom its faintest smile were reward enough for mortal pangs and throes; its faintest wail of pain loud enough to drown the united call of hunger, thirst, and weariness.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading "The baby" may not be pretty to any, save those who gave it being.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading _The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading _The baby was dead._ There are those to whom that phrase conveys but little meaning; there are others whose every heart-string thrills to it.

wife

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

From this reading And now the minister and his gentle wife had their own sorrow to bear.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

word

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.

world

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

From this reading Its first smile, its first word, its first tottering step, are trifles all to the busy world without; but ah, not in the little home circle: not to _him_ who contending all day long with the jostling world of trade, sickened and disgusted with its trickeries and overreaching, selfishness, and duplicity, weary with the clamorous din of traffic, crosses at length his own peaceful threshhold, and sitting down by that little cradle, bends a brow seamed with care, over the little sleeper, with heaven's own smile upon its lip, heaven's own purity on its baby brow.