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 Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
ago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
all
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From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
almost
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From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
begged
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From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
Betty's
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From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
boots
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From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
broom
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From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
busy
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From this reading It was Saturday morning now, and she was very busy.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
called
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From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
capably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
cleaning
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From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
COMMON
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From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
cook
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From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
DAILY
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From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
days
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From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
dirty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
donned
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From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
dust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
EvennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
exchangednounUS /ˈexchanged/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
existence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
fragments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
frock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
lettings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
mendings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was Saturday morning now, and she was very busy.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
Nancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Saturday morning now, and she was very busy.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
patchings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
pathetic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
ragetty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
repeatednounUS /repeated/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
results
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
ROUND
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
Saturday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Saturday morning now, and she was very busy.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
scrub
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
spite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
stage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
stockings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
tagetty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
TASK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
twenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
varying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Saturday morning now, and she was very busy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
wearer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
wheneverconjunctionUS /weˈnevər/
at any time that; every time that
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
wield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
