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 Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
accident
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From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
ACCORDING
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From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
account
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From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
alasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This old gentleman, on carefully examining the maimed chair, discovered that its broken leg might be clamped with iron and made as serviceable as ever.”
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This old gentleman, on carefully examining the maimed chair, discovered that its broken leg might be clamped with iron and made as serviceable as ever.”
assuredly
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From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
auction
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From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
authentic
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From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
break
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From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This old gentleman, on carefully examining the maimed chair, discovered that its broken leg might be clamped with iron and made as serviceable as ever.”
CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
carefully
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From this reading This old gentleman, on carefully examining the maimed chair, discovered that its broken leg might be clamped with iron and made as serviceable as ever.”
ceased
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From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
certain
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From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
chair
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From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
Charley
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From this reading “Here is the very leg that was broken!” exclaimed Charley, throwing himself down on the floor to look at it.
children
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From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
clamped
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From this reading This old gentleman, on carefully examining the maimed chair, discovered that its broken leg might be clamped with iron and made as serviceable as ever.”
commonwealth
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From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
company
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From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
dear
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From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
discovered
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From this reading This old gentleman, on carefully examining the maimed chair, discovered that its broken leg might be clamped with iron and made as serviceable as ever.”
down
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From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This old gentleman, on carefully examining the maimed chair, discovered that its broken leg might be clamped with iron and made as serviceable as ever.”
evil
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From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
examining
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From this reading This old gentleman, on carefully examining the maimed chair, discovered that its broken leg might be clamped with iron and made as serviceable as ever.”
exclaimed
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From this reading “Here is the very leg that was broken!” exclaimed Charley, throwing himself down on the floor to look at it.
figured
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From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
floor
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From this reading “Here is the very leg that was broken!” exclaimed Charley, throwing himself down on the floor to look at it.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
friend
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From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading This old gentleman, on carefully examining the maimed chair, discovered that its broken leg might be clamped with iron and made as serviceable as ever.”
governors
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From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
Grandfather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Here is the very leg that was broken!” exclaimed Charley, throwing himself down on the floor to look at it.
high
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From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “Here is the very leg that was broken!” exclaimed Charley, throwing himself down on the floor to look at it.
Hull
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From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This old gentleman, on carefully examining the maimed chair, discovered that its broken leg might be clamped with iron and made as serviceable as ever.”
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Here is the very leg that was broken!” exclaimed Charley, throwing himself down on the floor to look at it.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
knocked
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From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
leg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
legs
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From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Here is the very leg that was broken!” exclaimed Charley, throwing himself down on the floor to look at it.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This old gentleman, on carefully examining the maimed chair, discovered that its broken leg might be clamped with iron and made as serviceable as ever.”
maimed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This old gentleman, on carefully examining the maimed chair, discovered that its broken leg might be clamped with iron and made as serviceable as ever.”
Massachusetts
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From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading This old gentleman, on carefully examining the maimed chair, discovered that its broken leg might be clamped with iron and made as serviceable as ever.”
misfortune
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This old gentleman, on carefully examining the maimed chair, discovered that its broken leg might be clamped with iron and made as serviceable as ever.”
ominous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
probably
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From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
records
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
serviceable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This old gentleman, on carefully examining the maimed chair, discovered that its broken leg might be clamped with iron and made as serviceable as ever.”
sold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
throwing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Here is the very leg that was broken!” exclaimed Charley, throwing himself down on the floor to look at it.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “ACCORDING to the most authentic records, my dear children,” said Grandfather, “the chair, about this time, had the misfortune to break its leg.
tottered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
venerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Here is the very leg that was broken!” exclaimed Charley, throwing himself down on the floor to look at it.
vicissitude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Being therefore sold at auction,--alas I what a vicissitude for a chair that had figured in such high company!--our venerable friend was knocked down to a certain Captain John Hull.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading This old gentleman, on carefully examining the maimed chair, discovered that its broken leg might be clamped with iron and made as serviceable as ever.”
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was probably on account of this accident that it ceased to be the seat of the governors of Massachusetts; for, assuredly, it would have been ominous of evil to the commonwealth if the chair of state had tottered upon three legs.
