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 Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
accepted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
advice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
author
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If you ever want to get a book published,” he said, with a touch on the quick that made the conscious author wince, “they’re your men.”
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
bookseller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bookseller in Midland, who united bookselling with a stationery and music business, was one of these, and he had offered Ray a letter to them.
booksellers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
bookselling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bookseller in Midland, who united bookselling with a stationery and music business, was one of these, and he had offered Ray a letter to them.
bought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bookseller in Midland, who united bookselling with a stationery and music business, was one of these, and he had offered Ray a letter to them.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
ceased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
Chapley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
cities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
civility
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
Co
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
concealed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
conscious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If you ever want to get a book published,” he said, with a touch on the quick that made the conscious author wince, “they’re your men.”
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
counters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
customer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
customers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
depended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “If you ever want to get a book published,” he said, with a touch on the quick that made the conscious author wince, “they’re your men.”
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
forth-coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If you ever want to get a book published,” he said, with a touch on the quick that made the conscious author wince, “they’re your men.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “If you ever want to get a book published,” he said, with a touch on the quick that made the conscious author wince, “they’re your men.”
imaginable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
jobbers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bookseller in Midland, who united bookselling with a stationery and music business, was one of these, and he had offered Ray a letter to them.
libraries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If you ever want to get a book published,” he said, with a touch on the quick that made the conscious author wince, “they’re your men.”
Midland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bookseller in Midland, who united bookselling with a stationery and music business, was one of these, and he had offered Ray a letter to them.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
music
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bookseller in Midland, who united bookselling with a stationery and music business, was one of these, and he had offered Ray a letter to them.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
offered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bookseller in Midland, who united bookselling with a stationery and music business, was one of these, and he had offered Ray a letter to them.
old-fashioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The bookseller in Midland, who united bookselling with a stationery and music business, was one of these, and he had offered Ray a letter to them.
orders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
published
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If you ever want to get a book published,” he said, with a touch on the quick that made the conscious author wince, “they’re your men.”
publishers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
quick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If you ever want to get a book published,” he said, with a touch on the quick that made the conscious author wince, “they’re your men.”
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
Ray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If you ever want to get a book published,” he said, with a touch on the quick that made the conscious author wince, “they’re your men.”
salesroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
shown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
smaller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
stationery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bookseller in Midland, who united bookselling with a stationery and music business, was one of these, and he had offered Ray a letter to them.
suggestion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
terms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “If you ever want to get a book published,” he said, with a touch on the quick that made the conscious author wince, “they’re your men.”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The bookseller in Midland, who united bookselling with a stationery and music business, was one of these, and he had offered Ray a letter to them.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
they're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If you ever want to get a book published,” he said, with a touch on the quick that made the conscious author wince, “they’re your men.”
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
touch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If you ever want to get a book published,” he said, with a touch on the quick that made the conscious author wince, “they’re your men.”
united
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bookseller in Midland, who united bookselling with a stationery and music business, was one of these, and he had offered Ray a letter to them.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If you ever want to get a book published,” he said, with a touch on the quick that made the conscious author wince, “they’re your men.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were jobbers as well as booksellers; they took orders and made terms for public and private libraries; they had customers all over the country who depended on them for advice and suggestion about forth-coming books, and there were many booksellers in the smaller cities who bought through them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Chapley & Co. were of the few old-fashioned publishers who had remained booksellers too, in a day when most publishers have ceased to be so.
wince
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If you ever want to get a book published,” he said, with a touch on the quick that made the conscious author wince, “they’re your men.”
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Ray could not help thinking the civility shown him was for an imaginable customer rather than a concealed author, but he accepted it all the same, and sat looking out into the salesroom, with its counters of books, and its shelves full of them around its walls, while he waited.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “If you ever want to get a book published,” he said, with a touch on the quick that made the conscious author wince, “they’re your men.”
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “If you ever want to get a book published,” he said, with a touch on the quick that made the conscious author wince, “they’re your men.”
