Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I had such a time to learn that.
all
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From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
apologies
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From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
attended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
believes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
considering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
delicacy
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From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
disrespect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
English
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From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
gasped
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From this reading “But,” I gasped, “if I should speak to our servants in that manner they would leave.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had such a time to learn that.
hesitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I had such a time to learn that.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “But,” I gasped, “if I should speak to our servants in that manner they would leave.
ignored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
learn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had such a time to learn that.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But,” I gasped, “if I should speak to our servants in that manner they would leave.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But,” I gasped, “if I should speak to our servants in that manner they would leave.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
night
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From this reading They would not stay over night.”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
obeyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
outward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading They would not stay over night.”
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
polite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
presently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
prettiest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
questioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
servants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But,” I gasped, “if I should speak to our servants in that manner they would leave.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “But,” I gasped, “if I should speak to our servants in that manner they would leave.
simply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
sister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
situation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But,” I gasped, “if I should speak to our servants in that manner they would leave.
stay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They would not stay over night.”
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I had such a time to learn that.
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I had such a time to learn that.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had such a time to learn that.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had such a time to learn that.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
wants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “But,” I gasped, “if I should speak to our servants in that manner they would leave.
