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 How great was Peter’s joy to find His friend in such a genial vein!
advice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
afford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How cheerfully the bond he signed, To pay the money back again!
age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How cheerfully the bond he signed, To pay the money back again!
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
bond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How cheerfully the bond he signed, To pay the money back again!
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I can feel for Peter’s need, And _I will lend him fifty pounds_!’
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
ca'n't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
cheerfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How cheerfully the bond he signed, To pay the money back again!
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
contains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
Doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I can feel for Peter’s need, And _I will lend him fifty pounds_!’
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
fifty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I can feel for Peter’s need, And _I will lend him fifty pounds_!’
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How great was Peter’s joy to find His friend in such a genial vein!
fix
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But I can feel for Peter’s need, And _I will lend him fifty pounds_!’
FourthnounUS /fourth/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
friend's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
genial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How great was Peter’s joy to find His friend in such a genial vein!
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How great was Peter’s joy to find His friend in such a genial vein!
greed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
grounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading How cheerfully the bond he signed, To pay the money back again!
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But I can feel for Peter’s need, And _I will lend him fifty pounds_!’
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
joy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How great was Peter’s joy to find His friend in such a genial vein!
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
learned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
lend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
money
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How cheerfully the bond he signed, To pay the money back again!
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But I can feel for Peter’s need, And _I will lend him fifty pounds_!’
noble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
Noon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
Other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
Paul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
pay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How cheerfully the bond he signed, To pay the money back again!
Peter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
Peter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I can feel for Peter’s need, And _I will lend him fifty pounds_!’
Poem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
pounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I can feel for Peter’s need, And _I will lend him fifty pounds_!’
precise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
Professor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
resumednounUS /ˈresumed/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
saying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
selfish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
signed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How cheerfully the bond he signed, To pay the money back again!
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
Tis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
vein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How great was Peter’s joy to find His friend in such a genial vein!
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading ‘We ca’n’t,’ said Paul, ‘be too precise: ’Tis best to fix the very day: So, by a learned friend’s advice, I’ve made it Noon, the Fourth of May.’
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading But I can feel for Peter’s need, And _I will lend him fifty pounds_!’
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
you'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As I was saying,” the Other Professor resumed, “if you’ll just think over any Poem, that contains the words—such as ‘Peter is poor,’ said noble Paul, ‘And I have always been his friend: And, though my means to give are small, At least I can afford to _lend._ How few, in this cold age of greed, Do good, except on selfish grounds!
