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The Mutable Many: A Novel
The Mutable Many: A Novel

Chapter XXI

Cover illustration for The Mutable Many: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.
Hard and incessant toil he did not complain of: that was his lot, and it had been the lot of his fathers.
He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.
“Ah’ll not stand it!” he cried aloud, bringing his fist down on the empty table.
But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Mutable Many: A Novel

Chapter XXI

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.
Line 2
Hard and incessant toil he did not complain of: that was his lot, and it had been the lot of his fathers.
Line 3
He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.
Line 4
“Ah’ll not stand it!” he cried aloud, bringing his fist down on the empty table.
Line 5
But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.”

Bitterly adverb US /ˈbɪtərli/

in a way that shows deep pain or grief

From this reading “After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.”

Cried noun US /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Ah’ll not stand it!” he cried aloud, bringing his fist down on the empty table.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.”

Remember verb US /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading “After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.”

Stand noun US /stand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Ah’ll not stand it!” he cried aloud, bringing his fist down on the empty table.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.”

Waiting noun US /ˈwaiting/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.”

All words in this reading · 99

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

able

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

action

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

Ah'll

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

From this reading “Ah’ll not stand it!” he cried aloud, bringing his fist down on the empty table.

aloud

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

From this reading “Ah’ll not stand it!” he cried aloud, bringing his fist down on the empty table.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

bitterlyadverbUS /ˈbɪtərli/

in a way that shows deep pain or grief

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

Braunt

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

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

bringing

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

From this reading “Ah’ll not stand it!” he cried aloud, bringing his fist down on the empty table.

burial

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

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

buried

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

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

capricious

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

changed

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

complain

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

From this reading Hard and incessant toil he did not complain of: that was his lot, and it had been the lot of his fathers.

control

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

criednounUS /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Ah’ll not stand it!” he cried aloud, bringing his fist down on the empty table.

daughter

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

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

density

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

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

depression

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

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

despair

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

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

determination

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

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Hard and incessant toil he did not complain of: that was his lot, and it had been the lot of his fathers.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

doomed

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

down

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

From this reading “Ah’ll not stand it!” he cried aloud, bringing his fist down on the empty table.

dropped

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

empty

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

From this reading “Ah’ll not stand it!” he cried aloud, bringing his fist down on the empty table.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

face

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

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

failure

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

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

fathers

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

From this reading Hard and incessant toil he did not complain of: that was his lot, and it had been the lot of his fathers.

fist

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

From this reading “Ah’ll not stand it!” he cried aloud, bringing his fist down on the empty table.

flashes

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

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

given

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

groaned

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

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

habitual

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

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

Hard

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

From this reading Hard and incessant toil he did not complain of: that was his lot, and it had been the lot of his fathers.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

heedlessly

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

helpless

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

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

hopeless

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

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

how

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

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

idleness

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

incessant

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

From this reading Hard and incessant toil he did not complain of: that was his lot, and it had been the lot of his fathers.

increased

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

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Hard and incessant toil he did not complain of: that was his lot, and it had been the lot of his fathers.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

lonely

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

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

lot

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

From this reading Hard and incessant toil he did not complain of: that was his lot, and it had been the lot of his fathers.

men

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

minds

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

momentary

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

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Hard and incessant toil he did not complain of: that was his lot, and it had been the lot of his fathers.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “Ah’ll not stand it!” he cried aloud, bringing his fist down on the empty table.

others

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

pick

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

pondered

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

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

realizing

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

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

room

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

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

sat

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

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

settled

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

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

signal

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

slightest

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

stand

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

From this reading “Ah’ll not stand it!” he cried aloud, bringing his fist down on the empty table.

starvation

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

table

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

From this reading “Ah’ll not stand it!” he cried aloud, bringing his fist down on the empty table.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Hard and incessant toil he did not complain of: that was his lot, and it had been the lot of his fathers.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

there

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

toil

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

From this reading Hard and incessant toil he did not complain of: that was his lot, and it had been the lot of his fathers.

tools

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

up

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading After the burial of his daughter, Braunt sat in his lonely room and pondered bitterly upon the failure his life had been, ever since he could remember.

waiting

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Hard and incessant toil he did not complain of: that was his lot, and it had been the lot of his fathers.

whompronounUS /huːm/

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

willing

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading But after these momentary flashes of determination, the depression habitual to him settled down with increased density upon his mind, and, realizing how helpless he was, he buried his face in his hands and groaned in hopeless despair.

work

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

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading He was able to work and willing; the work was there waiting to be done: yet, through the action of men over whom he had not the slightest control, he was doomed to idleness and starvation until the capricious minds of others changed, and the signal was given to pick up the tools that had been so heedlessly dropped.