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 A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
accident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
account
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
AINLEY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
beaver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
befallen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
broke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
camp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
chagrin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
coldly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
colony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
deadfall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
explains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We must have passed within a very few miles of you."
FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
further
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
guessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We must have passed within a very few miles of you."
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
Helen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
inspect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
interruption
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ainley listened for a long time without interruption.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
listened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ainley listened for a long time without interruption.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ainley listened for a long time without interruption.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "You were once within a quarter of a mile of me."
mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You were once within a quarter of a mile of me."
miles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We must have passed within a very few miles of you."
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
Much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading We must have passed within a very few miles of you."
narrative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You were once within a quarter of a mile of me."
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We must have passed within a very few miles of you."
preamble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
quarter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You were once within a quarter of a mile of me."
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
Stane's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
SURPRISE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
unaware
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
uncle's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
unknown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We must have passed within a very few miles of you."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading We must have passed within a very few miles of you."
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading A SURPRISE FOR AINLEY "I will," answered Helen coldly, and without further preamble began the narrative of all that had befallen her from the time she had left her uncle's camp to inspect the beaver colony.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Much of the story he already knew, though the girl was unaware of the fact; much more he had guessed, but some things were unknown to him, and when she gave the account of Stane's accident at the deadfall and of the camp she had made there, he broke out in chagrin: "That explains how it was we never found you.
