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 Then, it was decided to have a house-party the day but one after Christmas Day, and invitations had to be sent out to all the gentry of the neighbourhood.
addition
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From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
address
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From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
addressing
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From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
affection
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From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Then, it was decided to have a house-party the day but one after Christmas Day, and invitations had to be sent out to all the gentry of the neighbourhood.
all
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From this reading Then, it was decided to have a house-party the day but one after Christmas Day, and invitations had to be sent out to all the gentry of the neighbourhood.
altogether
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From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading GROWING SUSPICIONS In the big house there were many things to be done in preparation for Christmas.
Beryl
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From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
big
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From this reading GROWING SUSPICIONS In the big house there were many things to be done in preparation for Christmas.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Then, it was decided to have a house-party the day but one after Christmas Day, and invitations had to be sent out to all the gentry of the neighbourhood.
cards
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From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
Christmas
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From this reading GROWING SUSPICIONS In the big house there were many things to be done in preparation for Christmas.
coloured
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From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
cut
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From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, it was decided to have a house-party the day but one after Christmas Day, and invitations had to be sent out to all the gentry of the neighbourhood.
decided
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From this reading Then, it was decided to have a house-party the day but one after Christmas Day, and invitations had to be sent out to all the gentry of the neighbourhood.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading GROWING SUSPICIONS In the big house there were many things to be done in preparation for Christmas.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
envelopes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
evergreens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
exhausting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
extremely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
fell
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From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
filling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading GROWING SUSPICIONS In the big house there were many things to be done in preparation for Christmas.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
gentry
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From this reading Then, it was decided to have a house-party the day but one after Christmas Day, and invitations had to be sent out to all the gentry of the neighbourhood.
GROWING
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From this reading GROWING SUSPICIONS In the big house there were many things to be done in preparation for Christmas.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Then, it was decided to have a house-party the day but one after Christmas Day, and invitations had to be sent out to all the gentry of the neighbourhood.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GROWING SUSPICIONS In the big house there were many things to be done in preparation for Christmas.
house-party
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, it was decided to have a house-party the day but one after Christmas Day, and invitations had to be sent out to all the gentry of the neighbourhood.
hung
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From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading GROWING SUSPICIONS In the big house there were many things to be done in preparation for Christmas.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
invitations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, it was decided to have a house-party the day but one after Christmas Day, and invitations had to be sent out to all the gentry of the neighbourhood.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then, it was decided to have a house-party the day but one after Christmas Day, and invitations had to be sent out to all the gentry of the neighbourhood.
Lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
lot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
Madeline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GROWING SUSPICIONS In the big house there were many things to be done in preparation for Christmas.
Mottoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
naturally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
neighbourhood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, it was decided to have a house-party the day but one after Christmas Day, and invitations had to be sent out to all the gentry of the neighbourhood.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Then, it was decided to have a house-party the day but one after Christmas Day, and invitations had to be sent out to all the gentry of the neighbourhood.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
parcel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
parish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
pen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
pleasantnounUS /pleasant/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
preparation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GROWING SUSPICIONS In the big house there were many things to be done in preparation for Christmas.
pressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
regard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
selected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, it was decided to have a house-party the day but one after Christmas Day, and invitations had to be sent out to all the gentry of the neighbourhood.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
simplest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
surrounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
SUSPICIONS
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From this reading GROWING SUSPICIONS In the big house there were many things to be done in preparation for Christmas.
swift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
task
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GROWING SUSPICIONS In the big house there were many things to be done in preparation for Christmas.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, it was decided to have a house-party the day but one after Christmas Day, and invitations had to be sent out to all the gentry of the neighbourhood.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GROWING SUSPICIONS In the big house there were many things to be done in preparation for Christmas.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GROWING SUSPICIONS In the big house there were many things to be done in preparation for Christmas.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading GROWING SUSPICIONS In the big house there were many things to be done in preparation for Christmas.
tokens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
Tregony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
undertook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
value
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
various
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In addition to all this, various tokens of affection and regard had to be sent to the extremely poor of the parish--nothing of very much value, it is true--still, the simplest parcel took time to make up and address.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then, it was decided to have a house-party the day but one after Christmas Day, and invitations had to be sent out to all the gentry of the neighbourhood.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading GROWING SUSPICIONS In the big house there were many things to be done in preparation for Christmas.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mottoes had to be selected and cut out of coloured paper, and surrounded with evergreens and hung in the hall, and naturally this task fell to the lot of Madeline and Beryl.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Tregony undertook this pleasant duty, but soon found the work of filling in cards and addressing envelopes altogether too exhausting; so Madeline, who was swift with her pen, was pressed into the service.
