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 Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
abundant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
beloved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
best
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From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
braiding
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From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
bring
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From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
brooches
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From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
brow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The maiden's brow was grave and thoughtful, the lips firmly set; but she seemed to Dido to have grown, and to have gained something of her mother's mature dignity.
brown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
child-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing, indeed, remained of the child-like timidity and patient submissiveness which had touched Dido only two days since, as she plaited Melissa's hair.
cleared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
causing pain or showing no kindness
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
darling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never had she seen her darling look so fair.
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing, indeed, remained of the child-like timidity and patient submissiveness which had touched Dido only two days since, as she plaited Melissa's hair.
delighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
Dido
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From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
dignity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The maiden's brow was grave and thoughtful, the lips firmly set; but she seemed to Dido to have grown, and to have gained something of her mother's mature dignity.
dimmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Never had she seen her darling look so fair.
finishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
firmly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The maiden's brow was grave and thoughtful, the lips firmly set; but she seemed to Dido to have grown, and to have gained something of her mother's mature dignity.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
gained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The maiden's brow was grave and thoughtful, the lips firmly set; but she seemed to Dido to have grown, and to have gained something of her mother's mature dignity.
girdle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
girl's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
grave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The maiden's brow was grave and thoughtful, the lips firmly set; but she seemed to Dido to have grown, and to have gained something of her mother's mature dignity.
grown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The maiden's brow was grave and thoughtful, the lips firmly set; but she seemed to Dido to have grown, and to have gained something of her mother's mature dignity.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The maiden's brow was grave and thoughtful, the lips firmly set; but she seemed to Dido to have grown, and to have gained something of her mother's mature dignity.
helped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing, indeed, remained of the child-like timidity and patient submissiveness which had touched Dido only two days since, as she plaited Melissa's hair.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The maiden's brow was grave and thoughtful, the lips firmly set; but she seemed to Dido to have grown, and to have gained something of her mother's mature dignity.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Never had she seen her darling look so fair.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
maiden's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The maiden's brow was grave and thoughtful, the lips firmly set; but she seemed to Dido to have grown, and to have gained something of her mother's mature dignity.
mature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The maiden's brow was grave and thoughtful, the lips firmly set; but she seemed to Dido to have grown, and to have gained something of her mother's mature dignity.
Melissa's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing, indeed, remained of the child-like timidity and patient submissiveness which had touched Dido only two days since, as she plaited Melissa's hair.
mistress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
mother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The maiden's brow was grave and thoughtful, the lips firmly set; but she seemed to Dido to have grown, and to have gained something of her mother's mature dignity.
NevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Never had she seen her darling look so fair.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
NothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing, indeed, remained of the child-like timidity and patient submissiveness which had touched Dido only two days since, as she plaited Melissa's hair.
patient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing, indeed, remained of the child-like timidity and patient submissiveness which had touched Dido only two days since, as she plaited Melissa's hair.
peplos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
pinned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
plaited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing, indeed, remained of the child-like timidity and patient submissiveness which had touched Dido only two days since, as she plaited Melissa's hair.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Nothing, indeed, remained of the child-like timidity and patient submissiveness which had touched Dido only two days since, as she plaited Melissa's hair.
result
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The maiden's brow was grave and thoughtful, the lips firmly set; but she seemed to Dido to have grown, and to have gained something of her mother's mature dignity.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never had she seen her darling look so fair.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
shoulders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Nothing, indeed, remained of the child-like timidity and patient submissiveness which had touched Dido only two days since, as she plaited Melissa's hair.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Never had she seen her darling look so fair.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The maiden's brow was grave and thoughtful, the lips firmly set; but she seemed to Dido to have grown, and to have gained something of her mother's mature dignity.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
submissiveness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing, indeed, remained of the child-like timidity and patient submissiveness which had touched Dido only two days since, as she plaited Melissa's hair.
task
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
tears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
thoughtful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The maiden's brow was grave and thoughtful, the lips firmly set; but she seemed to Dido to have grown, and to have gained something of her mother's mature dignity.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
timidity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing, indeed, remained of the child-like timidity and patient submissiveness which had touched Dido only two days since, as she plaited Melissa's hair.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
touched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing, indeed, remained of the child-like timidity and patient submissiveness which had touched Dido only two days since, as she plaited Melissa's hair.
touches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing, indeed, remained of the child-like timidity and patient submissiveness which had touched Dido only two days since, as she plaited Melissa's hair.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Nothing delighted old Dido more than to dress the daughter of her beloved mistress in all her best, for she had helped to bring her up; but to-day it was a cruel task; tears dimmed her old eyes.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Nothing, indeed, remained of the child-like timidity and patient submissiveness which had touched Dido only two days since, as she plaited Melissa's hair.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was not till she had put the finishing touches to braiding the girl's abundant brown hair, pinned her peplos on the shoulders with brooches, and set the girdle straight, that her face cleared, as she looked at the result.
