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 heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
acquaintance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The silver tea-set and damask cloth had been removed from Mrs. Gordon’s supper-table.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The silver tea-set and damask cloth had been removed from Mrs. Gordon’s supper-table.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
begin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
brightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
brocatelle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
burned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
burning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
carpet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
casting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
chandelier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
cheerful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
cloth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The silver tea-set and damask cloth had been removed from Mrs. Gordon’s supper-table.
curtains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
damask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The silver tea-set and damask cloth had been removed from Mrs. Gordon’s supper-table.
distinct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
donned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
dropped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
drumming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
Ellen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
England
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
eschewed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
fingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The silver tea-set and damask cloth had been removed from Mrs. Gordon’s supper-table.
furnaces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
gas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
gay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
glad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
Gordon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The silver tea-set and damask cloth had been removed from Mrs. Gordon’s supper-table.
grate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The silver tea-set and damask cloth had been removed from Mrs. Gordon’s supper-table.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
huge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
lady-mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
lamenting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
listlessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
makes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
Marian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
meantimenounUS /ˈmiːntaɪm/
the period of time while something else is happening
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
mention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The silver tea-set and damask cloth had been removed from Mrs. Gordon’s supper-table.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
needed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
needle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
New
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
pile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
propensity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
removed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The silver tea-set and damask cloth had been removed from Mrs. Gordon’s supper-table.
rendering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
selecting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
silver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The silver tea-set and damask cloth had been removed from Mrs. Gordon’s supper-table.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
socks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
sofa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
softened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
son's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
spectacles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
stoves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
supper-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The silver tea-set and damask cloth had been removed from Mrs. Gordon’s supper-table.
supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
talking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
tea-set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The silver tea-set and damask cloth had been removed from Mrs. Gordon’s supper-table.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The silver tea-set and damask cloth had been removed from Mrs. Gordon’s supper-table.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
thrifty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
throughoutprepositionUS /θruːˈaʊt/
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
thump
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
toes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
try
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
type
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I should suppose she might see it,” he thought—“might know how much I am in love with Marian, for I used to be always talking about her, and now I never mention her, it makes my heart thump so if I try to speak her name.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
wearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavy curtains of brocatelle were dropped before the windows; a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, for Mrs. Gordon eschewed both furnaces and stoves; the gas burned brightly in the chandelier, casting a softened light throughout the room, and rendering more distinct the gay flowers on the carpet.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady-mother, a fair type of a thrifty New England woman, had donned her spectacles, and from a huge pile of socks was selecting those which needed a near acquaintance with the needle, and lamenting over her son’s propensity at wearing out his toes!
wondering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The son, meantime, half lay, half sat upon the sofa, listlessly drumming with his fingers, and feeling glad that Ellen was not there, and wondering how he should begin to tell his mother what he so much wished her to know.
