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 Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
artisans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.
belonged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
Brabant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
Brussels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
canals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
capital
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
Charles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
citizens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
contained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
described
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.
distinctly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.
drive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
Emperor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
flourishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
Gombert's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
hitherto
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
imagination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
industrious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
intersected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.
Landshut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
lower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
modest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
musician
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.
numerous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
palace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Three years passed.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
portion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
quarter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
residence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
rich
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
Saint-Gery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.
Senne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
share
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.
skilful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
sons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
splendournounUS /ˈsplendər/
magnificent and impressive appearance
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
stories
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
Three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three years passed.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
unlike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
upper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
vivid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.
wealthy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three years passed.