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 Mrs. Burgoyne laid a kind hand on Lucy Foster's arm, and introduced one or two of the new-comers.
ambassador
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From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Burgoyne laid a kind hand on Lucy Foster's arm, and introduced one or two of the new-comers.
anxious
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From this reading For he was anxious to catch a train, and had but a short time to spare.
apart
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From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Burgoyne laid a kind hand on Lucy Foster's arm, and introduced one or two of the new-comers.
Bellasis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
bird-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a tall stiffly built man, with a heavy white face, and a shock of black hair combed into a high and bird-like crest.
black
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From this reading He was a tall stiffly built man, with a heavy white face, and a shock of black hair combed into a high and bird-like crest.
built
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a tall stiffly built man, with a heavy white face, and a shock of black hair combed into a high and bird-like crest.
Burgoyne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Burgoyne laid a kind hand on Lucy Foster's arm, and introduced one or two of the new-comers.
busied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For he was anxious to catch a train, and had but a short time to spare.
catch
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From this reading For he was anxious to catch a train, and had but a short time to spare.
chat
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From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
combed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a tall stiffly built man, with a heavy white face, and a shock of black hair combed into a high and bird-like crest.
crest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a tall stiffly built man, with a heavy white face, and a shock of black hair combed into a high and bird-like crest.
ear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a tall stiffly built man, with a heavy white face, and a shock of black hair combed into a high and bird-like crest.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For he was anxious to catch a train, and had but a short time to spare.
Foster's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Burgoyne laid a kind hand on Lucy Foster's arm, and introduced one or two of the new-comers.
gold-headed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
grouped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party grouped themselves round the tea-tables.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For he was anxious to catch a train, and had but a short time to spare.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a tall stiffly built man, with a heavy white face, and a shock of black hair combed into a high and bird-like crest.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Burgoyne laid a kind hand on Lucy Foster's arm, and introduced one or two of the new-comers.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For he was anxious to catch a train, and had but a short time to spare.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a tall stiffly built man, with a heavy white face, and a shock of black hair combed into a high and bird-like crest.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a tall stiffly built man, with a heavy white face, and a shock of black hair combed into a high and bird-like crest.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He was a tall stiffly built man, with a heavy white face, and a shock of black hair combed into a high and bird-like crest.
introduced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Burgoyne laid a kind hand on Lucy Foster's arm, and introduced one or two of the new-comers.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Burgoyne laid a kind hand on Lucy Foster's arm, and introduced one or two of the new-comers.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Burgoyne laid a kind hand on Lucy Foster's arm, and introduced one or two of the new-comers.
lent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
Lucy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Burgoyne laid a kind hand on Lucy Foster's arm, and introduced one or two of the new-comers.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a tall stiffly built man, with a heavy white face, and a shock of black hair combed into a high and bird-like crest.
Manisty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Burgoyne laid a kind hand on Lucy Foster's arm, and introduced one or two of the new-comers.
new-comers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Burgoyne laid a kind hand on Lucy Foster's arm, and introduced one or two of the new-comers.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Burgoyne laid a kind hand on Lucy Foster's arm, and introduced one or two of the new-comers.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mrs. Burgoyne laid a kind hand on Lucy Foster's arm, and introduced one or two of the new-comers.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Mrs. Burgoyne laid a kind hand on Lucy Foster's arm, and introduced one or two of the new-comers.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mrs. Burgoyne laid a kind hand on Lucy Foster's arm, and introduced one or two of the new-comers.
pair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The party grouped themselves round the tea-tables.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party grouped themselves round the tea-tables.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
shock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a tall stiffly built man, with a heavy white face, and a shock of black hair combed into a high and bird-like crest.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading For he was anxious to catch a train, and had but a short time to spare.
soft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
spare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For he was anxious to catch a train, and had but a short time to spare.
stick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
stiffly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a tall stiffly built man, with a heavy white face, and a shock of black hair combed into a high and bird-like crest.
supporting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a tall stiffly built man, with a heavy white face, and a shock of black hair combed into a high and bird-like crest.
tea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
tea-tables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party grouped themselves round the tea-tables.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The party grouped themselves round the tea-tables.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The party grouped themselves round the tea-tables.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For he was anxious to catch a train, and had but a short time to spare.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For he was anxious to catch a train, and had but a short time to spare.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Burgoyne laid a kind hand on Lucy Foster's arm, and introduced one or two of the new-comers.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For he was anxious to catch a train, and had but a short time to spare.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then, while Miss Manisty, a little apart, lent her ear to the soft chat of the ambassador, who sat beside her, supporting a pair of old and very white hands upon a gold-headed stick, Mrs. Burgoyne busied herself with Mr. Bellasis and his tea.
