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 "What do you mean?" asked James, and J.C. replied: "I mean that I, and not you, will have a Cousin Maude."
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "What do you mean?" asked James, and J.C. replied: "I mean that I, and not you, will have a Cousin Maude."
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To James he had given back the ornaments intended for another bride than Nellie, saying, as he did so, "Maude De Vere may wear them yet."
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
bridal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
bride
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To James he had given back the ornaments intended for another bride than Nellie, saying, as he did so, "Maude De Vere may wear them yet."
brow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
C
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
COUSIN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COUSIN MAUDE.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
De
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To James he had given back the ornaments intended for another bride than Nellie, saying, as he did so, "Maude De Vere may wear them yet."
decreed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "What do you mean?" asked James, and J.C. replied: "I mean that I, and not you, will have a Cousin Maude."
ear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
ereconjunctionUS /er/
an old word for “before”
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
Fate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To James he had given back the ornaments intended for another bride than Nellie, saying, as he did so, "Maude De Vere may wear them yet."
former
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To James he had given back the ornaments intended for another bride than Nellie, saying, as he did so, "Maude De Vere may wear them yet."
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
Hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
intended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To James he had given back the ornaments intended for another bride than Nellie, saying, as he did so, "Maude De Vere may wear them yet."
interview
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
J
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
James
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
kissed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
Laurel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
lingered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
MAUDE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COUSIN MAUDE.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading To James he had given back the ornaments intended for another bride than Nellie, saying, as he did so, "Maude De Vere may wear them yet."
mean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What do you mean?" asked James, and J.C. replied: "I mean that I, and not you, will have a Cousin Maude."
miles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
mistake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
Nellie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
ornaments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To James he had given back the ornaments intended for another bride than Nellie, saying, as he did so, "Maude De Vere may wear them yet."
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
placid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "What do you mean?" asked James, and J.C. replied: "I mean that I, and not you, will have a Cousin Maude."
saying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To James he had given back the ornaments intended for another bride than Nellie, saying, as he did so, "Maude De Vere may wear them yet."
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
sister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading To James he had given back the ornaments intended for another bride than Nellie, saying, as he did so, "Maude De Vere may wear them yet."
sought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
tenderly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading To James he had given back the ornaments intended for another bride than Nellie, saying, as he did so, "Maude De Vere may wear them yet."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading To James he had given back the ornaments intended for another bride than Nellie, saying, as he did so, "Maude De Vere may wear them yet."
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
Three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
Vere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To James he had given back the ornaments intended for another bride than Nellie, saying, as he did so, "Maude De Vere may wear them yet."
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
wear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To James he had given back the ornaments intended for another bride than Nellie, saying, as he did so, "Maude De Vere may wear them yet."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What do you mean?" asked James, and J.C. replied: "I mean that I, and not you, will have a Cousin Maude."
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
whispered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "What do you mean?" asked James, and J.C. replied: "I mean that I, and not you, will have a Cousin Maude."
wishes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
wonderednounUS /wondered/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Three days had passed since the bridal, and James still lingered at Laurel Hill, while not very many miles away his mother waited and wondered why he did not come.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading To James he had given back the ornaments intended for another bride than Nellie, saying, as he did so, "Maude De Vere may wear them yet."
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading J.C. and Nellie were gone, but ere they had left the former sought an interview with Maude, whose placid brow he kissed tenderly as he whispered in her ear: "Fate decreed that you should not be my wife, but I have made you my sister, and, if I mistake not, another wishes to make you my cousin."
