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A Modern Tomboy: A Story for Girls
A Modern Tomboy: A Story for Girls

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for A Modern Tomboy: A Story for Girls
Context Illustration Reading 1/44 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
TEA ON THE LAKE.
It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.
That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
"I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Modern Tomboy: A Story for Girls

Chapter VII

Reading 1/44 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
TEA ON THE LAKE.
Line 2
It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.
Line 3
That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
Line 4
This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
Line 5
"I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."”

Insisted verb US /ɪnˈsɪstɪd/

demanded something firmly

From this reading “That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.”

Yourself pronoun US /jərˈself/

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading “"I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."”

All words in this reading · 105

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 That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

accustomed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

afraid

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

any

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

assured

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

bigger

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

boat

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

changeling

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

clever

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

day

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.

deal

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

difficulty

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

duck

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

experience

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

fairies

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

firmness

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

form

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

girl

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.

home

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

insistedverbUS /ɪnˈsɪstɪd/

demanded something firmly

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

Irene

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.

iron

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.

lady

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

LAKE

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading TEA ON THE LAKE.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

laughed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

like

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

match

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

merrily

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

moment

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

more

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

new

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

oar

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

obey

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading TEA ON THE LAKE.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

orders

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.

other

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

perhaps

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

persuaded

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.

real

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

really

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

return

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

rod

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

Rosamund

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.

ruling

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

said

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From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

some

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

swim

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

taking

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

TEA

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading TEA ON THE LAKE.

terrify

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading TEA ON THE LAKE.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

try

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

upset

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

vowed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.

water

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.

won

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."

young

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.

yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."