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 THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
accomplishment
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From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
add
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From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
age
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From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
allowed
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From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
Artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
Artful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When she found Madge, at the age of sixteen, more eager than ever before to study art, and nothing else, she told her husband that they might as well make up their minds to it, and, at the word, their minds were made up.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
attitude
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From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
become
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From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
brother
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From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
Burtwell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
Burtwell's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
calling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
children
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From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
concerned
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From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
CONTEST
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From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
contrary-minded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
degenerate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
deprecatory
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From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
devoting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
eager
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she found Madge, at the age of sixteen, more eager than ever before to study art, and nothing else, she told her husband that they might as well make up their minds to it, and, at the word, their minds were made up.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she found Madge, at the age of sixteen, more eager than ever before to study art, and nothing else, she told her husband that they might as well make up their minds to it, and, at the word, their minds were made up.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When she found Madge, at the age of sixteen, more eager than ever before to study art, and nothing else, she told her husband that they might as well make up their minds to it, and, at the word, their minds were made up.
explain
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From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
firm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
flippant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When she found Madge, at the age of sixteen, more eager than ever before to study art, and nothing else, she told her husband that they might as well make up their minds to it, and, at the word, their minds were made up.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
gained
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From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
graduate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she found Madge, at the age of sixteen, more eager than ever before to study art, and nothing else, she told her husband that they might as well make up their minds to it, and, at the word, their minds were made up.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
influence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she found Madge, at the age of sixteen, more eager than ever before to study art, and nothing else, she told her husband that they might as well make up their minds to it, and, at the word, their minds were made up.
Madge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When she found Madge, at the age of sixteen, more eager than ever before to study art, and nothing else, she told her husband that they might as well make up their minds to it, and, at the word, their minds were made up.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading When she found Madge, at the age of sixteen, more eager than ever before to study art, and nothing else, she told her husband that they might as well make up their minds to it, and, at the word, their minds were made up.
minds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she found Madge, at the age of sixteen, more eager than ever before to study art, and nothing else, she told her husband that they might as well make up their minds to it, and, at the word, their minds were made up.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she found Madge, at the age of sixteen, more eager than ever before to study art, and nothing else, she told her husband that they might as well make up their minds to it, and, at the word, their minds were made up.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading When she found Madge, at the age of sixteen, more eager than ever before to study art, and nothing else, she told her husband that they might as well make up their minds to it, and, at the word, their minds were made up.
objection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
opinions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
permission
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
persisted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
philosopher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
preferred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
PRIZE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
putting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
queer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
reluctant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
School
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
seams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
seems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
sewing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
sixteen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
student
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
study
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she found Madge, at the age of sixteen, more eager than ever before to study art, and nothing else, she told her husband that they might as well make up their minds to it, and, at the word, their minds were made up.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading When she found Madge, at the age of sixteen, more eager than ever before to study art, and nothing else, she told her husband that they might as well make up their minds to it, and, at the word, their minds were made up.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When she found Madge, at the age of sixteen, more eager than ever before to study art, and nothing else, she told her husband that they might as well make up their minds to it, and, at the word, their minds were made up.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When she found Madge, at the age of sixteen, more eager than ever before to study art, and nothing else, she told her husband that they might as well make up their minds to it, and, at the word, their minds were made up.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When she found Madge, at the age of sixteen, more eager than ever before to study art, and nothing else, she told her husband that they might as well make up their minds to it, and, at the word, their minds were made up.
tone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
trimming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
tyranny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she found Madge, at the age of sixteen, more eager than ever before to study art, and nothing else, she told her husband that they might as well make up their minds to it, and, at the word, their minds were made up.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading But Mrs. Burtwell, though firm in her own opinions, was something of a philosopher in her attitude toward the contrary-minded, and even where her own children were concerned she never allowed her influence to degenerate into tyranny.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE PRIZE CONTEST "Artful Madge" was the very flippant name by which Madge Burtwell's brother Ned had persisted in calling her from the time when, at the age of sixteen, she gained reluctant permission to become a student at the Art School.
wont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Not that we have any objection to art," Mrs. Burtwell was wont to explain in a deprecatory tone; "only we should have preferred to have Madge graduate first, before devoting herself to a mere accomplishment.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she found Madge, at the age of sixteen, more eager than ever before to study art, and nothing else, she told her husband that they might as well make up their minds to it, and, at the word, their minds were made up.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It seems a little like putting the trimming on a dress before sewing the seams up," she would add; "I did it once when I was a girl, and the dress always had a queer look."
