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 He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
abated
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From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
able
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From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
abruptly
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From this reading The idea had come to him abruptly, almost full-born, as Jimmy had read such big ideas often do come.
almost
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From this reading The idea had come to him abruptly, almost full-born, as Jimmy had read such big ideas often do come.
Anne
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From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
believing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
big
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From this reading The idea had come to him abruptly, almost full-born, as Jimmy had read such big ideas often do come.
blindly
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From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The idea had come to him abruptly, almost full-born, as Jimmy had read such big ideas often do come.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
exaltation
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From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
excitement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
FIRSTnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE FIRST SETBACK.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
formulate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
full-born
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From this reading The idea had come to him abruptly, almost full-born, as Jimmy had read such big ideas often do come.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
ideas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea had come to him abruptly, almost full-born, as Jimmy had read such big ideas often do come.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
James
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
Jimmy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
Jimmy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
mean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea had come to him abruptly, almost full-born, as Jimmy had read such big ideas often do come.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
plainlynounUS /ˈplainly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
plan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
planned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea had come to him abruptly, almost full-born, as Jimmy had read such big ideas often do come.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
seized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
SETBACK
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From this reading THE FIRST SETBACK.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
steam-engine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
stopping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The idea had come to him abruptly, almost full-born, as Jimmy had read such big ideas often do come.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRST SETBACK.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
Watt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
wonderfulnounUS /ˈwonderful/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
