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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
accountsnounUS /ˈaccounts/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
ADOPT
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From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.
afforded
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From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
apron
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From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
ASconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
balanced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A business is a real pleasure to a man when that is the case.
case
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From this reading A business is a real pleasure to a man when that is the case.
clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
end
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From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
executed
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From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
FATHER
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From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.
find
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From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
FINK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
generally
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From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
GIDEON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A business is a real pleasure to a man when that is the case.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
jump
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A business is a real pleasure to a man when that is the case.
MASTER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
out
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From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
pleasure
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From this reading A business is a real pleasure to a man when that is the case.
PROPOSES
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From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A business is a real pleasure to a man when that is the case.
red-hot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
repairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
requirednounUS /required/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
richer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
satisfaction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
Saturdays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
seldom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
shop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
strike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
striking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
task
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A business is a real pleasure to a man when that is the case.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
TOparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.
tools
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
triflenounUS /ˈtraɪfəl/
something that needs very little effort
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/
except if; if not
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
urgently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading A business is a real pleasure to a man when that is the case.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
whisk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
WOLF
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.