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 Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
admit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT did not really take long to light the lamps, but to Victoria it seemed an age.
allowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading IT did not really take long to light the lamps, but to Victoria it seemed an age.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Are the young ladies at home?” she heard a voice ask which she felt sure was Miss Madison’s.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Are the young ladies at home?” she heard a voice ask which she felt sure was Miss Madison’s.
asked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
atoms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
Blanch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
Blanch's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She hoped devoutly that Blanch’s reply would be a discreet one.
bolts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
broke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading IT did not really take long to light the lamps, but to Victoria it seemed an age.
chimney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
clatter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
come
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
crack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
dashed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
devoutly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She hoped devoutly that Blanch’s reply would be a discreet one.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading IT did not really take long to light the lamps, but to Victoria it seemed an age.
disappeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
discreet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She hoped devoutly that Blanch’s reply would be a discreet one.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
drew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Are the young ladies at home?” she heard a voice ask which she felt sure was Miss Madison’s.
fingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
grasp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Are the young ladies at home?” she heard a voice ask which she felt sure was Miss Madison’s.
hoped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She hoped devoutly that Blanch’s reply would be a discreet one.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
ITpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IT did not really take long to light the lamps, but to Victoria it seemed an age.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
key
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
ladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Are the young ladies at home?” she heard a voice ask which she felt sure was Miss Madison’s.
lamps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT did not really take long to light the lamps, but to Victoria it seemed an age.
last
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT did not really take long to light the lamps, but to Victoria it seemed an age.
listened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
lock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
long
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT did not really take long to light the lamps, but to Victoria it seemed an age.
loud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
Madison's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Are the young ladies at home?” she heard a voice ask which she felt sure was Miss Madison’s.
Matches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
meantime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Are the young ladies at home?” she heard a voice ask which she felt sure was Miss Madison’s.
noisily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading IT did not really take long to light the lamps, but to Victoria it seemed an age.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She hoped devoutly that Blanch’s reply would be a discreet one.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
penetrating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
piazza
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT did not really take long to light the lamps, but to Victoria it seemed an age.
reply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She hoped devoutly that Blanch’s reply would be a discreet one.
seemed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT did not really take long to light the lamps, but to Victoria it seemed an age.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
signalling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
slip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
standing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
struck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
sure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Are the young ladies at home?” she heard a voice ask which she felt sure was Miss Madison’s.
take
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT did not really take long to light the lamps, but to Victoria it seemed an age.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IT did not really take long to light the lamps, but to Victoria it seemed an age.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
thousand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IT did not really take long to light the lamps, but to Victoria it seemed an age.
tones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
trembling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
Victoria
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT did not really take long to light the lamps, but to Victoria it seemed an age.
visitors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Are the young ladies at home?” she heard a voice ask which she felt sure was Miss Madison’s.
voices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Are the young ladies at home?” she heard a voice ask which she felt sure was Miss Madison’s.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
whoever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading At last, signalling to her that the time had come to admit the visitors, whoever they might be, Victoria disappeared through the door which led to the back of the house and listened at its crack while Blanch drew back the bolts with a clatter and noisily turned the key in the lock.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She hoped devoutly that Blanch’s reply would be a discreet one.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Matches broke in her hand as she struck them, her trembling fingers allowed a chimney to slip from their grasp to be dashed in a thousand atoms upon the floor, and in the meantime she heard voices upon the piazza, while Blanch, standing close to the front door, asked her in loud and penetrating tones if she were not yet ready to have it opened.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Are the young ladies at home?” she heard a voice ask which she felt sure was Miss Madison’s.
