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 It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
absorbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
Althea
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From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
any
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From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
aroused
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From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
assiduously
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From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
aware
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
dim
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From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
duties
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From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
encounter
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From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
enough
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From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
felt
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From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
flagrantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
flirting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
Gerald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
Helen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
Helen's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
hostess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
imaginativeness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
Kane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
melancholy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
nocturnal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
observationnounUS /ˈobservation/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
placidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
powersnounUS /powers/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
preoccupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
preoccupying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
reserved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
sharpened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
sketching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
speculative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
sympathy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
