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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
account
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From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
affairs
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From this reading This reticence also extended to Marvin's affairs.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This reticence also extended to Marvin's affairs.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
bill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
conscientiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
cupped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
debt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
denounced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
dischargedverbUS /dɪsˈtʃɑrdʒd/
released from a duty or job
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
duties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
earlier
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From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
elsewhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had often wondered why Jim stood it, and wished that he had the spirit to try his fortunes elsewhere.
employer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
extended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This reticence also extended to Marvin's affairs.
failing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
food
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
fortunes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had often wondered why Jim stood it, and wished that he had the spirit to try his fortunes elsewhere.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
greatly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
hat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
itemized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
Marvin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
Marvin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This reticence also extended to Marvin's affairs.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
money
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
neglect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
obligation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
outbreak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
particularly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
pay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
relations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
render
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
requite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
reticence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This reticence also extended to Marvin's affairs.
saucer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
shelter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
slouch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
spirit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had often wondered why Jim stood it, and wished that he had the spirit to try his fortunes elsewhere.
stayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had often wondered why Jim stood it, and wished that he had the spirit to try his fortunes elsewhere.
strained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
strict
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This reticence also extended to Marvin's affairs.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This reticence also extended to Marvin's affairs.
try
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had often wondered why Jim stood it, and wished that he had the spirit to try his fortunes elsewhere.
ugly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
unable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
weekly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
weighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had often wondered why Jim stood it, and wished that he had the spirit to try his fortunes elsewhere.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
wonder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
wonderednounUS /wondered/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had often wondered why Jim stood it, and wished that he had the spirit to try his fortunes elsewhere.
