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 The house was in a curious commotion up-stairs.
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery was at the end of a long passage, and, when the door was open, commanded also a view of the gallery.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There many an evening when there was fine company at Highcourt had the children pressed to see the beautiful ladies coming out in their jewels and finery, dressed for dinner.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
anxious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
apartments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
attendant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
beautiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There many an evening when there was fine company at Highcourt had the children pressed to see the beautiful ladies coming out in their jewels and finery, dressed for dinner.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There many an evening when there was fine company at Highcourt had the children pressed to see the beautiful ladies coming out in their jewels and finery, dressed for dinner.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
commanded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery was at the end of a long passage, and, when the door was open, commanded also a view of the gallery.
commotion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was in a curious commotion up-stairs.
company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There many an evening when there was fine company at Highcourt had the children pressed to see the beautiful ladies coming out in their jewels and finery, dressed for dinner.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Mrs. Trevanion’s room opened into the gallery to which the great staircase led, and from which you could look down into the hall.
curious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was in a curious commotion up-stairs.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There many an evening when there was fine company at Highcourt had the children pressed to see the beautiful ladies coming out in their jewels and finery, dressed for dinner.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Trevanion’s room opened into the gallery to which the great staircase led, and from which you could look down into the hall.
dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There many an evening when there was fine company at Highcourt had the children pressed to see the beautiful ladies coming out in their jewels and finery, dressed for dinner.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There many an evening when there was fine company at Highcourt had the children pressed to see the beautiful ladies coming out in their jewels and finery, dressed for dinner.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There many an evening when there was fine company at Highcourt had the children pressed to see the beautiful ladies coming out in their jewels and finery, dressed for dinner.
finery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There many an evening when there was fine company at Highcourt had the children pressed to see the beautiful ladies coming out in their jewels and finery, dressed for dinner.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There many an evening when there was fine company at Highcourt had the children pressed to see the beautiful ladies coming out in their jewels and finery, dressed for dinner.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mrs. Trevanion’s room opened into the gallery to which the great staircase led, and from which you could look down into the hall.
gallery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Trevanion’s room opened into the gallery to which the great staircase led, and from which you could look down into the hall.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mrs. Trevanion’s room opened into the gallery to which the great staircase led, and from which you could look down into the hall.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There many an evening when there was fine company at Highcourt had the children pressed to see the beautiful ladies coming out in their jewels and finery, dressed for dinner.
half-closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Trevanion’s room opened into the gallery to which the great staircase led, and from which you could look down into the hall.
Highcourt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There many an evening when there was fine company at Highcourt had the children pressed to see the beautiful ladies coming out in their jewels and finery, dressed for dinner.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was in a curious commotion up-stairs.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The house was in a curious commotion up-stairs.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Mrs. Trevanion’s room opened into the gallery to which the great staircase led, and from which you could look down into the hall.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
jewels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There many an evening when there was fine company at Highcourt had the children pressed to see the beautiful ladies coming out in their jewels and finery, dressed for dinner.
ladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There many an evening when there was fine company at Highcourt had the children pressed to see the beautiful ladies coming out in their jewels and finery, dressed for dinner.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Trevanion’s room opened into the gallery to which the great staircase led, and from which you could look down into the hall.
level
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
listen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The nursery was at the end of a long passage, and, when the door was open, commanded also a view of the gallery.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mrs. Trevanion’s room opened into the gallery to which the great staircase led, and from which you could look down into the hall.
Madam's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
maid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There many an evening when there was fine company at Highcourt had the children pressed to see the beautiful ladies coming out in their jewels and finery, dressed for dinner.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
nursery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The nursery was at the end of a long passage, and, when the door was open, commanded also a view of the gallery.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Trevanion’s room opened into the gallery to which the great staircase led, and from which you could look down into the hall.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
passagenounUS /ˈpassage/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
pressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There many an evening when there was fine company at Highcourt had the children pressed to see the beautiful ladies coming out in their jewels and finery, dressed for dinner.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Trevanion’s room opened into the gallery to which the great staircase led, and from which you could look down into the hall.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There many an evening when there was fine company at Highcourt had the children pressed to see the beautiful ladies coming out in their jewels and finery, dressed for dinner.
shelter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
staircase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Trevanion’s room opened into the gallery to which the great staircase led, and from which you could look down into the hall.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The house was in a curious commotion up-stairs.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There many an evening when there was fine company at Highcourt had the children pressed to see the beautiful ladies coming out in their jewels and finery, dressed for dinner.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There many an evening when there was fine company at Highcourt had the children pressed to see the beautiful ladies coming out in their jewels and finery, dressed for dinner.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
Trevanion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
Trevanion's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Trevanion’s room opened into the gallery to which the great staircase led, and from which you could look down into the hall.
up-stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was in a curious commotion up-stairs.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery was at the end of a long passage, and, when the door was open, commanded also a view of the gallery.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The house was in a curious commotion up-stairs.
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The nursery was at the end of a long passage, and, when the door was open, commanded also a view of the gallery.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The nursery apartments were at the end of a passage, but on the same level with those of Mrs. Trevanion, in which Jane, Madam’s attendant and anxious maid, was watching--coming out now and then to listen, or standing within the shelter of the half-closed door.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Mrs. Trevanion’s room opened into the gallery to which the great staircase led, and from which you could look down into the hall.
