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 reading went on, not of course "for ever," like that harvest melody he spoke of, but for a considerable time.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
afterwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet this mysterious non-existent mother of the house was continually being spoken of, as I found now and afterwards when I listened to the talk around me.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those last expressions I have quoted about the "august Mother of the house" were unintelligible, and appeared to me meaningless.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Yet this mysterious non-existent mother of the house was continually being spoken of, as I found now and afterwards when I listened to the talk around me.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Yet this mysterious non-existent mother of the house was continually being spoken of, as I found now and afterwards when I listened to the talk around me.
august
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those last expressions I have quoted about the "august Mother of the house" were unintelligible, and appeared to me meaningless.
authority
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Yet this mysterious non-existent mother of the house was continually being spoken of, as I found now and afterwards when I listened to the talk around me.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The reading went on, not of course "for ever," like that harvest melody he spoke of, but for a considerable time.
calling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
concluded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
conclusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
considerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reading went on, not of course "for ever," like that harvest melody he spoke of, but for a considerable time.
continually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet this mysterious non-existent mother of the house was continually being spoken of, as I found now and afterwards when I listened to the talk around me.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The reading went on, not of course "for ever," like that harvest melody he spoke of, but for a considerable time.
establishment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The reading went on, not of course "for ever," like that harvest melody he spoke of, but for a considerable time.
experienced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
expressions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those last expressions I have quoted about the "august Mother of the house" were unintelligible, and appeared to me meaningless.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The reading went on, not of course "for ever," like that harvest melody he spoke of, but for a considerable time.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Yet this mysterious non-existent mother of the house was continually being spoken of, as I found now and afterwards when I listened to the talk around me.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
harvest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reading went on, not of course "for ever," like that harvest melody he spoke of, but for a considerable time.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Those last expressions I have quoted about the "august Mother of the house" were unintelligible, and appeared to me meaningless.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The reading went on, not of course "for ever," like that harvest melody he spoke of, but for a considerable time.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those last expressions I have quoted about the "august Mother of the house" were unintelligible, and appeared to me meaningless.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
indiscriminately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
initiated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
ladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Those last expressions I have quoted about the "august Mother of the house" were unintelligible, and appeared to me meaningless.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reading went on, not of course "for ever," like that harvest melody he spoke of, but for a considerable time.
listened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet this mysterious non-existent mother of the house was continually being spoken of, as I found now and afterwards when I listened to the talk around me.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
maternity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
meaningless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those last expressions I have quoted about the "august Mother of the house" were unintelligible, and appeared to me meaningless.
melody
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reading went on, not of course "for ever," like that harvest melody he spoke of, but for a considerable time.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
Mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those last expressions I have quoted about the "august Mother of the house" were unintelligible, and appeared to me meaningless.
mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/
difficult to explain or understand
From this reading Yet this mysterious non-existent mother of the house was continually being spoken of, as I found now and afterwards when I listened to the talk around me.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
non-existent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet this mysterious non-existent mother of the house was continually being spoken of, as I found now and afterwards when I listened to the talk around me.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The reading went on, not of course "for ever," like that harvest melody he spoke of, but for a considerable time.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet this mysterious non-existent mother of the house was continually being spoken of, as I found now and afterwards when I listened to the talk around me.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The reading went on, not of course "for ever," like that harvest melody he spoke of, but for a considerable time.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The reading went on, not of course "for ever," like that harvest melody he spoke of, but for a considerable time.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
pains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
pleasures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
possessing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
quoted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those last expressions I have quoted about the "august Mother of the house" were unintelligible, and appeared to me meaningless.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reading went on, not of course "for ever," like that harvest melody he spoke of, but for a considerable time.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reading went on, not of course "for ever," like that harvest melody he spoke of, but for a considerable time.
spoken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet this mysterious non-existent mother of the house was continually being spoken of, as I found now and afterwards when I listened to the talk around me.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet this mysterious non-existent mother of the house was continually being spoken of, as I found now and afterwards when I listened to the talk around me.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The reading went on, not of course "for ever," like that harvest melody he spoke of, but for a considerable time.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The reading went on, not of course "for ever," like that harvest melody he spoke of, but for a considerable time.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already come to the conclusion that however many of the ladies of the establishment might have experienced the pleasures and pains of maternity, there was really no mother of the house in the sense that there was a father of the house: that is to say, one possessing authority over the others and calling them all her children indiscriminately.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Yet this mysterious non-existent mother of the house was continually being spoken of, as I found now and afterwards when I listened to the talk around me.
ThosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Those last expressions I have quoted about the "august Mother of the house" were unintelligible, and appeared to me meaningless.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The reading went on, not of course "for ever," like that harvest melody he spoke of, but for a considerable time.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
unintelligible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those last expressions I have quoted about the "august Mother of the house" were unintelligible, and appeared to me meaningless.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The reading went on, not of course "for ever," like that harvest melody he spoke of, but for a considerable time.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Yet this mysterious non-existent mother of the house was continually being spoken of, as I found now and afterwards when I listened to the talk around me.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The words, I concluded, were for the initiated, and not for me, and after a while I gave up trying to make out what it was all about.
YetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet this mysterious non-existent mother of the house was continually being spoken of, as I found now and afterwards when I listened to the talk around me.
