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 She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
anon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever and anon she arose, and, going to the window, looked forth.
anxiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
apartment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
arose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever and anon she arose, and, going to the window, looked forth.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The next day passed as usual with Constance.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
Constance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day passed as usual with Constance.
CONSTANCE'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW CONSTANCE’S RETREAT WAS DISCOVERED.
controversial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day passed as usual with Constance.
described
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
dimly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
DISCOVERED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW CONSTANCE’S RETREAT WAS DISCOVERED.
essaying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
EvernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ever and anon she arose, and, going to the window, looked forth.
expectingverbUS /ɪkˈspektɪŋ/
thinking that somebody or something will arrive
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
fix
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
forth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever and anon she arose, and, going to the window, looked forth.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever and anon she arose, and, going to the window, looked forth.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW CONSTANCE’S RETREAT WAS DISCOVERED.
illuminated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ever and anon she arose, and, going to the window, looked forth.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next day passed as usual with Constance.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
Osbert's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next day passed as usual with Constance.
perusing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
RETREAT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW CONSTANCE’S RETREAT WAS DISCOVERED.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
scantily-furnished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
taper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next day passed as usual with Constance.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
tracts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day passed as usual with Constance.
vain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
WASauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HOW CONSTANCE’S RETREAT WAS DISCOVERED.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She was seated at a small table, perusing by the light of a single taper, which dimly illuminated the large but scantily-furnished apartment, one of the controversial tracts of the day, and essaying, but in vain, to fix her thoughts on what she read.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever and anon she arose, and, going to the window, looked forth.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At night she was alone in the room, the windows of which have been described as opening upon the garden, and anxiously expecting Osbert’s coming.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The next day passed as usual with Constance.