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 There was a good deal of consternation in the household of the noble Severus when Ebba’s flight was discovered.
AndeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An ominous frown upon Severus’s brow, as he entered his wife’s chamber, showed that a storm was brewing.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading An ominous frown upon Severus’s brow, as he entered his wife’s chamber, showed that a storm was brewing.
attendant
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From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
bath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
brewing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An ominous frown upon Severus’s brow, as he entered his wife’s chamber, showed that a storm was brewing.
brow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An ominous frown upon Severus’s brow, as he entered his wife’s chamber, showed that a storm was brewing.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
chamber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An ominous frown upon Severus’s brow, as he entered his wife’s chamber, showed that a storm was brewing.
chide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Silence!” exclaimed Severus; “what mean you, to chide and wail like a weakling infant?
consternation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a good deal of consternation in the household of the noble Severus when Ebba’s flight was discovered.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
crimping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
crying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
deal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a good deal of consternation in the household of the noble Severus when Ebba’s flight was discovered.
declaring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
discovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a good deal of consternation in the household of the noble Severus when Ebba’s flight was discovered.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
Ebba
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
Ebba's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a good deal of consternation in the household of the noble Severus when Ebba’s flight was discovered.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An ominous frown upon Severus’s brow, as he entered his wife’s chamber, showed that a storm was brewing.
exclaimed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Silence!” exclaimed Severus; “what mean you, to chide and wail like a weakling infant?
flight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a good deal of consternation in the household of the noble Severus when Ebba’s flight was discovered.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
frown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An ominous frown upon Severus’s brow, as he entered his wife’s chamber, showed that a storm was brewing.
gold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was a good deal of consternation in the household of the noble Severus when Ebba’s flight was discovered.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading An ominous frown upon Severus’s brow, as he entered his wife’s chamber, showed that a storm was brewing.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading An ominous frown upon Severus’s brow, as he entered his wife’s chamber, showed that a storm was brewing.
household
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a good deal of consternation in the household of the noble Severus when Ebba’s flight was discovered.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a good deal of consternation in the household of the noble Severus when Ebba’s flight was discovered.
infant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Silence!” exclaimed Severus; “what mean you, to chide and wail like a weakling infant?
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Silence!” exclaimed Severus; “what mean you, to chide and wail like a weakling infant?
mean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Silence!” exclaimed Severus; “what mean you, to chide and wail like a weakling infant?
MISSING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MISSING SLAVE.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
noble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a good deal of consternation in the household of the noble Severus when Ebba’s flight was discovered.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a good deal of consternation in the household of the noble Severus when Ebba’s flight was discovered.
ominous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An ominous frown upon Severus’s brow, as he entered his wife’s chamber, showed that a storm was brewing.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
plait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
scorchedadjectiveUS /skɔːrtʃt/
Burned by flames or heat; blackened by intense magical or physical fire.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
Severus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a good deal of consternation in the household of the noble Severus when Ebba’s flight was discovered.
Severus's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An ominous frown upon Severus’s brow, as he entered his wife’s chamber, showed that a storm was brewing.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An ominous frown upon Severus’s brow, as he entered his wife’s chamber, showed that a storm was brewing.
SilencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading “Silence!” exclaimed Severus; “what mean you, to chide and wail like a weakling infant?
SLAVE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MISSING SLAVE.
storm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An ominous frown upon Severus’s brow, as he entered his wife’s chamber, showed that a storm was brewing.
supply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading An ominous frown upon Severus’s brow, as he entered his wife’s chamber, showed that a storm was brewing.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MISSING SLAVE.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a good deal of consternation in the household of the noble Severus when Ebba’s flight was discovered.
threads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
twist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
undignified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading An ominous frown upon Severus’s brow, as he entered his wife’s chamber, showed that a storm was brewing.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
wail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Silence!” exclaimed Severus; “what mean you, to chide and wail like a weakling infant?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a good deal of consternation in the household of the noble Severus when Ebba’s flight was discovered.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
weakling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Silence!” exclaimed Severus; “what mean you, to chide and wail like a weakling infant?
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Silence!” exclaimed Severus; “what mean you, to chide and wail like a weakling infant?
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading There was a good deal of consternation in the household of the noble Severus when Ebba’s flight was discovered.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
wife's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An ominous frown upon Severus’s brow, as he entered his wife’s chamber, showed that a storm was brewing.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading His lady had just had her morning bath, and was crying in a very undignified way for Ebba, declaring that the attendant, who was doing her best to supply her place, scorched her head with the crimping iron; that no one could plait her hair as Ebba did; that no one could twist into it the gold threads, or place the plait in the right position, but Ebba.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Silence!” exclaimed Severus; “what mean you, to chide and wail like a weakling infant?
