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 I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
acidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
ailing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
awake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
baby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
belonged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
betrayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
black-and-blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
boot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
broad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
call
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
caught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was she who first caught sight of the old sofa and its occupant, and her exclamation drew Mary and Rhoda to the spot.
dawned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There lay poor Marm Lisa in the dead sleep of exhaustion, her dress torn and wrinkled, her shoes travel-stained, her hair tangled and matted.
desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
left a place or vessel without intending to return
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There lay poor Marm Lisa in the dead sleep of exhaustion, her dress torn and wrinkled, her shoes travel-stained, her hair tangled and matted.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was she who first caught sight of the old sofa and its occupant, and her exclamation drew Mary and Rhoda to the spot.
dust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
earlier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
exclamation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was she who first caught sight of the old sofa and its occupant, and her exclamation drew Mary and Rhoda to the spot.
exhaustion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There lay poor Marm Lisa in the dead sleep of exhaustion, her dress torn and wrinkled, her shoes travel-stained, her hair tangled and matted.
exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspəʊzd/
left open to danger or view left open to danger or public view
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was she who first caught sight of the old sofa and its occupant, and her exclamation drew Mary and Rhoda to the spot.
flight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
FREES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
ground-plan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There lay poor Marm Lisa in the dead sleep of exhaustion, her dress torn and wrinkled, her shoes travel-stained, her hair tangled and matted.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was she who first caught sight of the old sofa and its occupant, and her exclamation drew Mary and Rhoda to the spot.
janitress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There lay poor Marm Lisa in the dead sleep of exhaustion, her dress torn and wrinkled, her shoes travel-stained, her hair tangled and matted.
likely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
Lisa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There lay poor Marm Lisa in the dead sleep of exhaustion, her dress torn and wrinkled, her shoes travel-stained, her hair tangled and matted.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
Marm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There lay poor Marm Lisa in the dead sleep of exhaustion, her dress torn and wrinkled, her shoes travel-stained, her hair tangled and matted.
Mary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
matted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There lay poor Marm Lisa in the dead sleep of exhaustion, her dress torn and wrinkled, her shoes travel-stained, her hair tangled and matted.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
MINDnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
Mistress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
occupant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was she who first caught sight of the old sofa and its occupant, and her exclamation drew Mary and Rhoda to the spot.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was she who first caught sight of the old sofa and its occupant, and her exclamation drew Mary and Rhoda to the spot.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
Pacific's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
parents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There lay poor Marm Lisa in the dead sleep of exhaustion, her dress torn and wrinkled, her shoes travel-stained, her hair tangled and matted.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
RHODA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
rubbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
shape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
shoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There lay poor Marm Lisa in the dead sleep of exhaustion, her dress torn and wrinkled, her shoes travel-stained, her hair tangled and matted.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was she who first caught sight of the old sofa and its occupant, and her exclamation drew Mary and Rhoda to the spot.
size
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
sleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There lay poor Marm Lisa in the dead sleep of exhaustion, her dress torn and wrinkled, her shoes travel-stained, her hair tangled and matted.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
sofa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was she who first caught sight of the old sofa and its occupant, and her exclamation drew Mary and Rhoda to the spot.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
tangled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There lay poor Marm Lisa in the dead sleep of exhaustion, her dress torn and wrinkled, her shoes travel-stained, her hair tangled and matted.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There lay poor Marm Lisa in the dead sleep of exhaustion, her dress torn and wrinkled, her shoes travel-stained, her hair tangled and matted.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
they'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘It is possible their parents may call for them in the morning,’ she said acidly, ‘but I think it is more than likely that they have been deserted.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
torn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There lay poor Marm Lisa in the dead sleep of exhaustion, her dress torn and wrinkled, her shoes travel-stained, her hair tangled and matted.
travel-stained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There lay poor Marm Lisa in the dead sleep of exhaustion, her dress torn and wrinkled, her shoes travel-stained, her hair tangled and matted.
tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I know if they belonged to me they’d be lost for ever before I tried to find them!’ and she rubbed a black-and-blue spot on her person, which, if exposed, would have betrayed the shape, size, and general ground-plan of Pacific’s boot.
wrinkled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There lay poor Marm Lisa in the dead sleep of exhaustion, her dress torn and wrinkled, her shoes travel-stained, her hair tangled and matted.
XI
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XI RHODA FREES HER MIND MORNING dawned, and Mistress Mary and Rhoda went up the flight of broad steps rather earlier than usual,—so early that the janitress, who had been awake half the night with an ailing baby, was just going in to dust the rooms.
