Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
absolutely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already there were hints of plans for the holidays, though these had not yet absolutely crystallised into shape.
accident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
AlreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Already there were hints of plans for the holidays, though these had not yet absolutely crystallised into shape.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Fifth Form Justice Easter was coming--Easter with its birds and flowers and hope of summer.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Meantime there was plenty to be done at school.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Meantime there was plenty to be done at school.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
birds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fifth Form Justice Easter was coming--Easter with its birds and flowers and hope of summer.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
Christmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term-end examinations were due, and Miss Mitchell, who had been rather disappointed with Christmas results, was urging everybody to make heroic efforts.
Clive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fifth Form Justice Easter was coming--Easter with its birds and flowers and hope of summer.
crystallised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already there were hints of plans for the holidays, though these had not yet absolutely crystallised into shape.
dancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
disappointed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term-end examinations were due, and Miss Mitchell, who had been rather disappointed with Christmas results, was urging everybody to make heroic efforts.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Meantime there was plenty to be done at school.
due
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term-end examinations were due, and Miss Mitchell, who had been rather disappointed with Christmas results, was urging everybody to make heroic efforts.
Easter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fifth Form Justice Easter was coming--Easter with its birds and flowers and hope of summer.
ecstasies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
efforts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term-end examinations were due, and Miss Mitchell, who had been rather disappointed with Christmas results, was urging everybody to make heroic efforts.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
everybodypronounUS /ˈevribɑːdi/
every person
From this reading The term-end examinations were due, and Miss Mitchell, who had been rather disappointed with Christmas results, was urging everybody to make heroic efforts.
examinations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term-end examinations were due, and Miss Mitchell, who had been rather disappointed with Christmas results, was urging everybody to make heroic efforts.
Fifth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fifth Form Justice Easter was coming--Easter with its birds and flowers and hope of summer.
flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fifth Form Justice Easter was coming--Easter with its birds and flowers and hope of summer.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Already there were hints of plans for the holidays, though these had not yet absolutely crystallised into shape.
Form
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fifth Form Justice Easter was coming--Easter with its birds and flowers and hope of summer.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Already there were hints of plans for the holidays, though these had not yet absolutely crystallised into shape.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
heroic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term-end examinations were due, and Miss Mitchell, who had been rather disappointed with Christmas results, was urging everybody to make heroic efforts.
hints
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already there were hints of plans for the holidays, though these had not yet absolutely crystallised into shape.
holidays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already there were hints of plans for the holidays, though these had not yet absolutely crystallised into shape.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fifth Form Justice Easter was coming--Easter with its birds and flowers and hope of summer.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Already there were hints of plans for the holidays, though these had not yet absolutely crystallised into shape.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Fifth Form Justice Easter was coming--Easter with its birds and flowers and hope of summer.
Justice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fifth Form Justice Easter was coming--Easter with its birds and flowers and hope of summer.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The term-end examinations were due, and Miss Mitchell, who had been rather disappointed with Christmas results, was urging everybody to make heroic efforts.
MeantimenounUS /ˈmiːntaɪm/
the period of time while something else is happening
From this reading Meantime there was plenty to be done at school.
mention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
Merle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term-end examinations were due, and Miss Mitchell, who had been rather disappointed with Christmas results, was urging everybody to make heroic efforts.
Mitchell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term-end examinations were due, and Miss Mitchell, who had been rather disappointed with Christmas results, was urging everybody to make heroic efforts.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Already there were hints of plans for the holidays, though these had not yet absolutely crystallised into shape.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Fifth Form Justice Easter was coming--Easter with its birds and flowers and hope of summer.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
overheardnounUS /ˈoverheard/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
plans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already there were hints of plans for the holidays, though these had not yet absolutely crystallised into shape.
pledged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
plenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meantime there was plenty to be done at school.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term-end examinations were due, and Miss Mitchell, who had been rather disappointed with Christmas results, was urging everybody to make heroic efforts.
restrained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
results
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term-end examinations were due, and Miss Mitchell, who had been rather disappointed with Christmas results, was urging everybody to make heroic efforts.
reveal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meantime there was plenty to be done at school.
sealedadjectiveUS /siːld/
closed and kept secret in this chapter’s sailing situation
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
send
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
shape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already there were hints of plans for the holidays, though these had not yet absolutely crystallised into shape.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
strictly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fifth Form Justice Easter was coming--Easter with its birds and flowers and hope of summer.
term-end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term-end examinations were due, and Miss Mitchell, who had been rather disappointed with Christmas results, was urging everybody to make heroic efforts.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Already there were hints of plans for the holidays, though these had not yet absolutely crystallised into shape.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already there were hints of plans for the holidays, though these had not yet absolutely crystallised into shape.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Already there were hints of plans for the holidays, though these had not yet absolutely crystallised into shape.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Already there were hints of plans for the holidays, though these had not yet absolutely crystallised into shape.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The mere mention of one of them had been enough to send Merle dancing round the house, but, as she had overheard by accident, and was strictly pledged not to reveal the secret to Clive, for the present she restrained her ecstasies and kept her lips sealed.
urging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The term-end examinations were due, and Miss Mitchell, who had been rather disappointed with Christmas results, was urging everybody to make heroic efforts.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Fifth Form Justice Easter was coming--Easter with its birds and flowers and hope of summer.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Already there were hints of plans for the holidays, though these had not yet absolutely crystallised into shape.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The term-end examinations were due, and Miss Mitchell, who had been rather disappointed with Christmas results, was urging everybody to make heroic efforts.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Fifth Form Justice Easter was coming--Easter with its birds and flowers and hope of summer.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Already there were hints of plans for the holidays, though these had not yet absolutely crystallised into shape.
