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 But for domestic warfare, Mrs. Mumbray would often have been at a loss how to spend her time.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But for domestic warfare, Mrs. Mumbray would often have been at a loss how to spend her time.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But for domestic warfare, Mrs. Mumbray would often have been at a loss how to spend her time.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Serena was at a table, a French book and dictionary open before her.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Serena was at a table, a French book and dictionary open before her.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But for domestic warfare, Mrs. Mumbray would often have been at a loss how to spend her time.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For relief in the former case, she could generally resort to a quarrel with Serena; in the latter, she preferred to wrangle with her spouse.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For relief in the former case, she could generally resort to a quarrel with Serena; in the latter, she preferred to wrangle with her spouse.
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
December
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
dictionary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Serena was at a table, a French book and dictionary open before her.
dinner-party
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
distractions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
domestic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But for domestic warfare, Mrs. Mumbray would often have been at a loss how to spend her time.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
ennui
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But for domestic warfare, Mrs. Mumbray would often have been at a loss how to spend her time.
former
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For relief in the former case, she could generally resort to a quarrel with Serena; in the latter, she preferred to wrangle with her spouse.
freedom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
French
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Serena was at a table, a French book and dictionary open before her.
frequently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
generally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For relief in the former case, she could generally resort to a quarrel with Serena; in the latter, she preferred to wrangle with her spouse.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But for domestic warfare, Mrs. Mumbray would often have been at a loss how to spend her time.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But for domestic warfare, Mrs. Mumbray would often have been at a loss how to spend her time.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But for domestic warfare, Mrs. Mumbray would often have been at a loss how to spend her time.
husband's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
ill-humour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
indulged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For relief in the former case, she could generally resort to a quarrel with Serena; in the latter, she preferred to wrangle with her spouse.
loss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But for domestic warfare, Mrs. Mumbray would often have been at a loss how to spend her time.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
Mayoralty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But for domestic warfare, Mrs. Mumbray would often have been at a loss how to spend her time.
Mumbray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But for domestic warfare, Mrs. Mumbray would often have been at a loss how to spend her time.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But for domestic warfare, Mrs. Mumbray would often have been at a loss how to spend her time.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Serena was at a table, a French book and dictionary open before her.
preferred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For relief in the former case, she could generally resort to a quarrel with Serena; in the latter, she preferred to wrangle with her spouse.
quarrelnounUS /ˈkwɔːrəl/
an angry argument or disagreement
From this reading For relief in the former case, she could generally resort to a quarrel with Serena; in the latter, she preferred to wrangle with her spouse.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/
a feeling of comfort after worry or pain
From this reading For relief in the former case, she could generally resort to a quarrel with Serena; in the latter, she preferred to wrangle with her spouse.
repaired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
resort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For relief in the former case, she could generally resort to a quarrel with Serena; in the latter, she preferred to wrangle with her spouse.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
Serena
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For relief in the former case, she could generally resort to a quarrel with Serena; in the latter, she preferred to wrangle with her spouse.
servants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For relief in the former case, she could generally resort to a quarrel with Serena; in the latter, she preferred to wrangle with her spouse.
smaller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
spend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But for domestic warfare, Mrs. Mumbray would often have been at a loss how to spend her time.
spouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For relief in the former case, she could generally resort to a quarrel with Serena; in the latter, she preferred to wrangle with her spouse.
supplied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Serena was at a table, a French book and dictionary open before her.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But for domestic warfare, Mrs. Mumbray would often have been at a loss how to spend her time.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But for domestic warfare, Mrs. Mumbray would often have been at a loss how to spend her time.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
unwonted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
warfare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But for domestic warfare, Mrs. Mumbray would often have been at a loss how to spend her time.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Serena was at a table, a French book and dictionary open before her.
weighednounUS /ˈweighed/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading One morning early in December, having indulged her ill-humour with even more than usual freedom among the servants, she repaired to the smaller drawing-room, where, at this hour, her daughter often sat reading.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading For relief in the former case, she could generally resort to a quarrel with Serena; in the latter, she preferred to wrangle with her spouse.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But for domestic warfare, Mrs. Mumbray would often have been at a loss how to spend her time.
wrangle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For relief in the former case, she could generally resort to a quarrel with Serena; in the latter, she preferred to wrangle with her spouse.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The year of her husband's Mayoralty supplied, it is true, a good many unwonted distractions, but in the middle of the morning, and late in the evening (if there were no dinner-party), _ennui_ too frequently weighed upon her.
