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 I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading GIVE ME YOUR PROMISE That afternoon I went out late to do some commissions for Jane.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I was glad to be out and to be moving, for Dr. Reade's words kept ringing in my ears, and by degrees they were beginning to hurt.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
badly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not want them to hurt badly until night, for nothing would induce me to break down.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I was glad to be out and to be moving, for Dr. Reade's words kept ringing in my ears, and by degrees they were beginning to hurt.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I was glad to be out and to be moving, for Dr. Reade's words kept ringing in my ears, and by degrees they were beginning to hurt.
blessed
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From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
bought
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From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
break
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From this reading I did not want them to hurt badly until night, for nothing would induce me to break down.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I was glad to be out and to be moving, for Dr. Reade's words kept ringing in my ears, and by degrees they were beginning to hurt.
cheerfully
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From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
commissions
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From this reading GIVE ME YOUR PROMISE That afternoon I went out late to do some commissions for Jane.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
dainty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
degrees
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From this reading I was glad to be out and to be moving, for Dr. Reade's words kept ringing in my ears, and by degrees they were beginning to hurt.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I did not want them to hurt badly until night, for nothing would induce me to break down.
dinner
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From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading GIVE ME YOUR PROMISE That afternoon I went out late to do some commissions for Jane.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not want them to hurt badly until night, for nothing would induce me to break down.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was glad to be out and to be moving, for Dr. Reade's words kept ringing in my ears, and by degrees they were beginning to hurt.
ears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was glad to be out and to be moving, for Dr. Reade's words kept ringing in my ears, and by degrees they were beginning to hurt.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
excellent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading GIVE ME YOUR PROMISE That afternoon I went out late to do some commissions for Jane.
GIVE
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From this reading GIVE ME YOUR PROMISE That afternoon I went out late to do some commissions for Jane.
glad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was glad to be out and to be moving, for Dr. Reade's words kept ringing in my ears, and by degrees they were beginning to hurt.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
grief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
growing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
guess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
heartily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
hurt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was glad to be out and to be moving, for Dr. Reade's words kept ringing in my ears, and by degrees they were beginning to hurt.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading GIVE ME YOUR PROMISE That afternoon I went out late to do some commissions for Jane.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I was glad to be out and to be moving, for Dr. Reade's words kept ringing in my ears, and by degrees they were beginning to hurt.
induce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not want them to hurt badly until night, for nothing would induce me to break down.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GIVE ME YOUR PROMISE That afternoon I went out late to do some commissions for Jane.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was glad to be out and to be moving, for Dr. Reade's words kept ringing in my ears, and by degrees they were beginning to hurt.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GIVE ME YOUR PROMISE That afternoon I went out late to do some commissions for Jane.
laugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
lovely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
MEpronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading GIVE ME YOUR PROMISE That afternoon I went out late to do some commissions for Jane.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
moving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was glad to be out and to be moving, for Dr. Reade's words kept ringing in my ears, and by degrees they were beginning to hurt.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I was glad to be out and to be moving, for Dr. Reade's words kept ringing in my ears, and by degrees they were beginning to hurt.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not want them to hurt badly until night, for nothing would induce me to break down.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I did not want them to hurt badly until night, for nothing would induce me to break down.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading I did not want them to hurt badly until night, for nothing would induce me to break down.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
Oh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GIVE ME YOUR PROMISE That afternoon I went out late to do some commissions for Jane.
overpower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
pain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
PROMISE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GIVE ME YOUR PROMISE That afternoon I went out late to do some commissions for Jane.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
Reade's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was glad to be out and to be moving, for Dr. Reade's words kept ringing in my ears, and by degrees they were beginning to hurt.
ringing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was glad to be out and to be moving, for Dr. Reade's words kept ringing in my ears, and by degrees they were beginning to hurt.
solitude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GIVE ME YOUR PROMISE That afternoon I went out late to do some commissions for Jane.
special
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
spirits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
talked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading GIVE ME YOUR PROMISE That afternoon I went out late to do some commissions for Jane.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I did not want them to hurt badly until night, for nothing would induce me to break down.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I was glad to be out and to be moving, for Dr. Reade's words kept ringing in my ears, and by degrees they were beginning to hurt.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading GIVE ME YOUR PROMISE That afternoon I went out late to do some commissions for Jane.
unhappy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading I did not want them to hurt badly until night, for nothing would induce me to break down.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not want them to hurt badly until night, for nothing would induce me to break down.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was glad to be out and to be moving, for Dr. Reade's words kept ringing in my ears, and by degrees they were beginning to hurt.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading GIVE ME YOUR PROMISE That afternoon I went out late to do some commissions for Jane.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I was glad to be out and to be moving, for Dr. Reade's words kept ringing in my ears, and by degrees they were beginning to hurt.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading I had talked to mother more cheerfully than ever that afternoon, and made her laugh heartily, and put her into excellent spirits, and I bought some lovely flowers for her while I was out, and a little special dainty for her dinner.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Oh, it would never do for mother to guess that I was unhappy, but I could not have kept up with that growing pain at my heart if it were not for the thought of night and solitude, the long blessed hours when I might give way, when I might let my grief, the first great grief of my life, overpower me.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was glad to be out and to be moving, for Dr. Reade's words kept ringing in my ears, and by degrees they were beginning to hurt.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I did not want them to hurt badly until night, for nothing would induce me to break down.
YOURdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading GIVE ME YOUR PROMISE That afternoon I went out late to do some commissions for Jane.
