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 For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
Amaryllis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
amuse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she could only get him started, he might amuse and interest her as on the long drive the day before.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If she could only get him started, he might amuse and interest her as on the long drive the day before.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
bedroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading If she could only get him started, he might amuse and interest her as on the long drive the day before.
Bellamy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
brother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
candles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
chatter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
companion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
conversation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If she could only get him started, he might amuse and interest her as on the long drive the day before.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she could only get him started, he might amuse and interest her as on the long drive the day before.
Dick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
directness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
drive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she could only get him started, he might amuse and interest her as on the long drive the day before.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
expression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
father's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
frivolous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she could only get him started, he might amuse and interest her as on the long drive the day before.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If she could only get him started, he might amuse and interest her as on the long drive the day before.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If she could only get him started, he might amuse and interest her as on the long drive the day before.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If she could only get him started, he might amuse and interest her as on the long drive the day before.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
intended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she could only get him started, he might amuse and interest her as on the long drive the day before.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If she could only get him started, he might amuse and interest her as on the long drive the day before.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
Melchard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
Melchard's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading If she could only get him started, he might amuse and interest her as on the long drive the day before.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
nervous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
odd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she could only get him started, he might amuse and interest her as on the long drive the day before.
pain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
phrases
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
pleasantnounUS /pleasant/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
quiescent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
remembered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
restful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
returning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
STANK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SWINE THAT STANK.
started
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she could only get him started, he might amuse and interest her as on the long drive the day before.
SWINE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SWINE THAT STANK.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
THATconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE SWINE THAT STANK.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SWINE THAT STANK.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
uncompromising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
unstrung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
upsetting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
vitality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Amaryllis left her bedroom, having laid Melchard's letter on her table, she had intended returning at once to pleasant and frivolous conversation with Dick Bellamy.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For to-night she was nervous--a little unstrung, it may be, by the pain she had given to his brother; and Dick, with his quiescent vitality, his odd phrases and uncompromising directness of expression, seemed to her at that moment the most restful companion in the world.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading And then, he seemed to be one of those people who understand even when you don't talk--and she remembered how he had cut into her father's chatter about Melchard by upsetting the candles.
