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 Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
accordingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her only thought was to get away from the Palais Royal, and this she was doing; she had heard it said that Chaillot looked out upon the Seine, and she accordingly directed her steps towards the Seine.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The patrol bent its steps towards the right, by the Rue St. Honore, and mechanically La Vallière turned to the left.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading La Vallière followed the patrol as it left the courtyard.
ascended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her only thought was to get away from the Palais Royal, and this she was doing; she had heard it said that Chaillot looked out upon the Seine, and she accordingly directed her steps towards the Seine.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
bent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The patrol bent its steps towards the right, by the Rue St. Honore, and mechanically La Vallière turned to the left.
betake
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From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The patrol bent its steps towards the right, by the Rue St. Honore, and mechanically La Vallière turned to the left.
calmer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
Carmelites
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From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
Chaillot
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From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
convent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
court
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/
an open area surrounded by the walls of a building
From this reading La Vallière followed the patrol as it left the courtyard.
descending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
determination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
directed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her only thought was to get away from the Palais Royal, and this she was doing; she had heard it said that Chaillot looked out upon the Seine, and she accordingly directed her steps towards the Seine.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her only thought was to get away from the Palais Royal, and this she was doing; she had heard it said that Chaillot looked out upon the Seine, and she accordingly directed her steps towards the Seine.
enjoyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
explain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
fixed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière followed the patrol as it left the courtyard.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
frame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Her only thought was to get away from the Palais Royal, and this she was doing; she had heard it said that Chaillot looked out upon the Seine, and she accordingly directed her steps towards the Seine.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her only thought was to get away from the Palais Royal, and this she was doing; she had heard it said that Chaillot looked out upon the Seine, and she accordingly directed her steps towards the Seine.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her only thought was to get away from the Palais Royal, and this she was doing; she had heard it said that Chaillot looked out upon the Seine, and she accordingly directed her steps towards the Seine.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
Honore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The patrol bent its steps towards the right, by the Rue St. Honore, and mechanically La Vallière turned to the left.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading La Vallière followed the patrol as it left the courtyard.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The patrol bent its steps towards the right, by the Rue St. Honore, and mechanically La Vallière turned to the left.
La
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière followed the patrol as it left the courtyard.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading La Vallière followed the patrol as it left the courtyard.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her only thought was to get away from the Palais Royal, and this she was doing; she had heard it said that Chaillot looked out upon the Seine, and she accordingly directed her steps towards the Seine.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
mechanically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The patrol bent its steps towards the right, by the Rue St. Honore, and mechanically La Vallière turned to the left.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her only thought was to get away from the Palais Royal, and this she was doing; she had heard it said that Chaillot looked out upon the Seine, and she accordingly directed her steps towards the Seine.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
Palais
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her only thought was to get away from the Palais Royal, and this she was doing; she had heard it said that Chaillot looked out upon the Seine, and she accordingly directed her steps towards the Seine.
Paris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
patrol
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière followed the patrol as it left the courtyard.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
reputation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
resolution
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The patrol bent its steps towards the right, by the Rue St. Honore, and mechanically La Vallière turned to the left.
Royal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her only thought was to get away from the Palais Royal, and this she was doing; she had heard it said that Chaillot looked out upon the Seine, and she accordingly directed her steps towards the Seine.
Rue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The patrol bent its steps towards the right, by the Rue St. Honore, and mechanically La Vallière turned to the left.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her only thought was to get away from the Palais Royal, and this she was doing; she had heard it said that Chaillot looked out upon the Seine, and she accordingly directed her steps towards the Seine.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
Seine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her only thought was to get away from the Palais Royal, and this she was doing; she had heard it said that Chaillot looked out upon the Seine, and she accordingly directed her steps towards the Seine.
severity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The patrol bent its steps towards the right, by the Rue St. Honore, and mechanically La Vallière turned to the left.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The patrol bent its steps towards the right, by the Rue St. Honore, and mechanically La Vallière turned to the left.
superior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her only thought was to get away from the Palais Royal, and this she was doing; she had heard it said that Chaillot looked out upon the Seine, and she accordingly directed her steps towards the Seine.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading La Vallière followed the patrol as it left the courtyard.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her only thought was to get away from the Palais Royal, and this she was doing; she had heard it said that Chaillot looked out upon the Seine, and she accordingly directed her steps towards the Seine.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The patrol bent its steps towards the right, by the Rue St. Honore, and mechanically La Vallière turned to the left.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading The patrol bent its steps towards the right, by the Rue St. Honore, and mechanically La Vallière turned to the left.
tremble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The patrol bent its steps towards the right, by the Rue St. Honore, and mechanically La Vallière turned to the left.
unable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Her only thought was to get away from the Palais Royal, and this she was doing; she had heard it said that Chaillot looked out upon the Seine, and she accordingly directed her steps towards the Seine.
Vallière
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière followed the patrol as it left the courtyard.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
worldly-minded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her resolution was taken--her determination fixed; she wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading La Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. Honore.
