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 AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
account
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I came here chiefly on my son's account," remarked Mrs. Winn; and then she told her neighbour about Tom's long illness.
afflicted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
agree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
ASconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I came here chiefly on my son's account," remarked Mrs. Winn; and then she told her neighbour about Tom's long illness.
chiefly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I came here chiefly on my son's account," remarked Mrs. Winn; and then she told her neighbour about Tom's long illness.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
complaint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
doctors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
Elsie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
entering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
frets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
gardening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
illness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I came here chiefly on my son's account," remarked Mrs. Winn; and then she told her neighbour about Tom's long illness.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
learned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
lie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
Mary's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
neighbour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I came here chiefly on my son's account," remarked Mrs. Winn; and then she told her neighbour about Tom's long illness.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
NEW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEW SCHOOL.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "I came here chiefly on my son's account," remarked Mrs. Winn; and then she told her neighbour about Tom's long illness.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
remarked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I came here chiefly on my son's account," remarked Mrs. Winn; and then she told her neighbour about Tom's long illness.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
sake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
SCHOOL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEW SCHOOL.
schoolmaster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
sigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
son's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I came here chiefly on my son's account," remarked Mrs. Winn; and then she told her neighbour about Tom's long illness.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
spinal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
terribly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NEW SCHOOL.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I came here chiefly on my son's account," remarked Mrs. Winn; and then she told her neighbour about Tom's long illness.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I came here chiefly on my son's account," remarked Mrs. Winn; and then she told her neighbour about Tom's long illness.
Tom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
Tom's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I came here chiefly on my son's account," remarked Mrs. Winn; and then she told her neighbour about Tom's long illness.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
village
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
Winn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS soon as Tom had done a little gardening, and seemed strong enough to return to school, Mrs. Winn called to see the schoolmaster about Tom entering the village school.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She frets about it terribly, poor girl," said her mother, with a sigh; "and I sometimes wish we had never come here, though we did it for Mary's sake, and my husband gave up a much better school than this for the sake of being in the country."
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master himself was not at home, but she saw his wife, and the two had a long talk, during which she learned that they had only one child, a daughter, about Elsie's age, who was afflicted with what seemed like a spinal complaint, but about which the doctors could not agree, except upon one point, and that was that she must lie upon her back for a year or two.
