adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
asleepadjectiveUS /əˈsliːp/
in a state of sleep
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
AuntnounUS /ænt/
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Elsli’s bedroom opened into that of Aunt Clarissa.
bedroomnounUS /ˈbedruːm/
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading Elsli’s bedroom opened into that of Aunt Clarissa.
bedsidenounUS /ˈbedsaɪd/
space by the side of a bed (especially the bed of a sick or dying person)
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
callingnounUS /ˈkɔːlɪŋ/
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
childnounUS /tʃaɪld/
a young person of either sex
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
Clarissa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elsli’s bedroom opened into that of Aunt Clarissa.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
difficultadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfəkəlt/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
dutiesnounUS /ˈduːtiz/
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
Elsli
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
Elsli's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elsli’s bedroom opened into that of Aunt Clarissa.
ENDnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading THE HAPPY END.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
excitementnounUS /ɪkˈsaɪtmənt/
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
fastadverbUS /fæst/
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
feebleadjectiveUS /ˈfiːbəl/
pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
feelverbUS /fiːl/
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
finishedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪnɪʃt/
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
friendnounUS /frend/
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
fulfilverbUS /fʊlˈfɪl/
put in effect
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
getverbUS /ɡet/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
happenedverbUS /ˈhæpənd/
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
HAPPYadjectiveUS /ˈhæpi/
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading THE HAPPY END.
hardlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdli/
only a very short time before
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
hearverbUS /hiːr/
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
householdnounUS /ˈhaʊshoʊld/
a social unit living together
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Elsli’s bedroom opened into that of Aunt Clarissa.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Elsli’s bedroom opened into that of Aunt Clarissa.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Elsli’s bedroom opened into that of Aunt Clarissa.
prayernounUS /prer/
the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
promptnessnoun
the characteristic of doing things without delay
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
regularitynounUS /ˌreɡjəˈlerəti/
a property of polygons: the property of having equal sides and equal angles
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
seatedadjectiveUS /ˈsiːtɪd/
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
speakingnounUS /ˈspiːkɪŋ/
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
surprisedadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzd/
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Elsli’s bedroom opened into that of Aunt Clarissa.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HAPPY END.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
unexpectedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪd/
not expected or anticipated
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
voicenounUS /vɔɪs/
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
worryverbUS /ˈwɜːri/
be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
