Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
acquaintances
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From this reading Then he called up every house in Seacote where Marjorie could possibly have gone, and King helped by suggesting the names of acquaintances.
action
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From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But no one could give any news of the little girl; no one whom they asked had seen or heard of her that afternoon.
alert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually alert and energetic, they were so stunned at the thought of real disaster to Marjorie that they sat around helplessly inactive.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But no one could give any news of the little girl; no one whom they asked had seen or heard of her that afternoon.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Usually alert and energetic, they were so stunned at the thought of real disaster to Marjorie that they sat around helplessly inactive.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But no one could give any news of the little girl; no one whom they asked had seen or heard of her that afternoon.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Usually alert and energetic, they were so stunned at the thought of real disaster to Marjorie that they sat around helplessly inactive.
Bryants
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From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But no one could give any news of the little girl; no one whom they asked had seen or heard of her that afternoon.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Then he called up every house in Seacote where Marjorie could possibly have gone, and King helped by suggesting the names of acquaintances.
called
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From this reading Then he called up every house in Seacote where Marjorie could possibly have gone, and King helped by suggesting the names of acquaintances.
ComenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Come with me, King," said Cousin Jack, going to the telephone in the library.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Then he called up every house in Seacote where Marjorie could possibly have gone, and King helped by suggesting the names of acquaintances.
Cousin
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From this reading "Come with me, King," said Cousin Jack, going to the telephone in the library.
disaster
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From this reading Usually alert and energetic, they were so stunned at the thought of real disaster to Marjorie that they sat around helplessly inactive.
energetic
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From this reading Usually alert and energetic, they were so stunned at the thought of real disaster to Marjorie that they sat around helplessly inactive.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Then he called up every house in Seacote where Marjorie could possibly have gone, and King helped by suggesting the names of acquaintances.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
fortunate
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From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
girl
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From this reading But no one could give any news of the little girl; no one whom they asked had seen or heard of her that afternoon.
give
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From this reading But no one could give any news of the little girl; no one whom they asked had seen or heard of her that afternoon.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come with me, King," said Cousin Jack, going to the telephone in the library.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he called up every house in Seacote where Marjorie could possibly have gone, and King helped by suggesting the names of acquaintances.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But no one could give any news of the little girl; no one whom they asked had seen or heard of her that afternoon.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Then he called up every house in Seacote where Marjorie could possibly have gone, and King helped by suggesting the names of acquaintances.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then he called up every house in Seacote where Marjorie could possibly have gone, and King helped by suggesting the names of acquaintances.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But no one could give any news of the little girl; no one whom they asked had seen or heard of her that afternoon.
helped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he called up every house in Seacote where Marjorie could possibly have gone, and King helped by suggesting the names of acquaintances.
helplessly
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From this reading Usually alert and energetic, they were so stunned at the thought of real disaster to Marjorie that they sat around helplessly inactive.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But no one could give any news of the little girl; no one whom they asked had seen or heard of her that afternoon.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he called up every house in Seacote where Marjorie could possibly have gone, and King helped by suggesting the names of acquaintances.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Come with me, King," said Cousin Jack, going to the telephone in the library.
inactive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually alert and energetic, they were so stunned at the thought of real disaster to Marjorie that they sat around helplessly inactive.
incapable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
initiative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
Jack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come with me, King," said Cousin Jack, going to the telephone in the library.
King
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come with me, King," said Cousin Jack, going to the telephone in the library.
library
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come with me, King," said Cousin Jack, going to the telephone in the library.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But no one could give any news of the little girl; no one whom they asked had seen or heard of her that afternoon.
Marjorie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually alert and energetic, they were so stunned at the thought of real disaster to Marjorie that they sat around helplessly inactive.
Maynard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Come with me, King," said Cousin Jack, going to the telephone in the library.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
names
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he called up every house in Seacote where Marjorie could possibly have gone, and King helped by suggesting the names of acquaintances.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But no one could give any news of the little girl; no one whom they asked had seen or heard of her that afternoon.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading But no one could give any news of the little girl; no one whom they asked had seen or heard of her that afternoon.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But no one could give any news of the little girl; no one whom they asked had seen or heard of her that afternoon.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But no one could give any news of the little girl; no one whom they asked had seen or heard of her that afternoon.
possibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he called up every house in Seacote where Marjorie could possibly have gone, and King helped by suggesting the names of acquaintances.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually alert and energetic, they were so stunned at the thought of real disaster to Marjorie that they sat around helplessly inactive.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come with me, King," said Cousin Jack, going to the telephone in the library.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually alert and energetic, they were so stunned at the thought of real disaster to Marjorie that they sat around helplessly inactive.
Seacote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he called up every house in Seacote where Marjorie could possibly have gone, and King helped by suggesting the names of acquaintances.
SEARCH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But no one could give any news of the little girl; no one whom they asked had seen or heard of her that afternoon.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Usually alert and energetic, they were so stunned at the thought of real disaster to Marjorie that they sat around helplessly inactive.
stunned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually alert and energetic, they were so stunned at the thought of real disaster to Marjorie that they sat around helplessly inactive.
suggesting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he called up every house in Seacote where Marjorie could possibly have gone, and King helped by suggesting the names of acquaintances.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
telephone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come with me, King," said Cousin Jack, going to the telephone in the library.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he called up every house in Seacote where Marjorie could possibly have gone, and King helped by suggesting the names of acquaintances.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Usually alert and energetic, they were so stunned at the thought of real disaster to Marjorie that they sat around helplessly inactive.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Usually alert and energetic, they were so stunned at the thought of real disaster to Marjorie that they sat around helplessly inactive.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he called up every house in Seacote where Marjorie could possibly have gone, and King helped by suggesting the names of acquaintances.
Usually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually alert and energetic, they were so stunned at the thought of real disaster to Marjorie that they sat around helplessly inactive.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE SEARCH It was fortunate that the Bryants were there to take the initiative, for Mr. and Mrs. Maynard seemed incapable of action.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Then he called up every house in Seacote where Marjorie could possibly have gone, and King helped by suggesting the names of acquaintances.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But no one could give any news of the little girl; no one whom they asked had seen or heard of her that afternoon.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Come with me, King," said Cousin Jack, going to the telephone in the library.
