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 There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
always
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From this reading His luck, at least, was beyond doubt for long; his assiduity, always.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
assiduity
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From this reading His luck, at least, was beyond doubt for long; his assiduity, always.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His luck, at least, was beyond doubt for long; his assiduity, always.
became
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From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The beginning of this yarn is my poor father's character.
begun
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From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading His luck, at least, was beyond doubt for long; his assiduity, always.
big
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From this reading “Dodd has a big head,” people used to say; but I was never so sure of his capacity.
branched
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From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “Dodd has a big head,” people used to say; but I was never so sure of his capacity.
capacity
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From this reading “Dodd has a big head,” people used to say; but I was never so sure of his capacity.
character
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From this reading The beginning of this yarn is my poor father's character.
Dodd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dodd has a big head,” people used to say; but I was never so sure of his capacity.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His luck, at least, was beyond doubt for long; his assiduity, always.
estate
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From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
father's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The beginning of this yarn is my poor father's character.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His luck, at least, was beyond doubt for long; his assiduity, always.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
handsomer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Dodd has a big head,” people used to say; but I was never so sure of his capacity.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dodd has a big head,” people used to say; but I was never so sure of his capacity.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
interested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The beginning of this yarn is my poor father's character.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
land-surveyor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His luck, at least, was beyond doubt for long; his assiduity, always.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His luck, at least, was beyond doubt for long; his assiduity, always.
luck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His luck, at least, was beyond doubt for long; his assiduity, always.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
Muskegon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The beginning of this yarn is my poor father's character.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The beginning of this yarn is my poor father's character.
off
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From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dodd has a big head,” people used to say; but I was never so sure of his capacity.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
pleasures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The beginning of this yarn is my poor father's character.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
residence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
smartest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “Dodd has a big head,” people used to say; but I was never so sure of his capacity.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
sorry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
speculations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
State
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun life as a land-surveyor, soon became interested in real estate, branched off into many other speculations, and had the name of one of the smartest men in the State of Muskegon.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Dodd has a big head,” people used to say; but I was never so sure of his capacity.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The beginning of this yarn is my poor father's character.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The beginning of this yarn is my poor father's character.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
unhappy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dodd has a big head,” people used to say; but I was never so sure of his capacity.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There never was a better man, nor a handsomer, nor (in my view) a more unhappy--unhappy in his business, in his pleasures, in his place of residence, and (I am sorry to say it) in his son.
yarnnounUS /jɑrn/
an informal story or conversation
From this reading The beginning of this yarn is my poor father's character.
