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 It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
any
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From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
become
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From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
better
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From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
bride
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From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
business-like
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From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
change
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From this reading But to Olive this change seemed a positive sin.
changed
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From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
Charles
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From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
cold
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From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
confidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
contemplating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
Derwent's
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From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
dignity
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From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
engagements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
evil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
faithlessness
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From this reading She shuddered to think of Sara's wicked faithlessness; she wept with pity, remembering poor Charles.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
formal
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From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
former
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
frank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
Geddes
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From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
girlish
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From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
Gwynne
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From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
inferring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
knew
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From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
letter
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From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
married
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
mentioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
mournfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
Olive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
opinion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
pity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She shuddered to think of Sara's wicked faithlessness; she wept with pity, remembering poor Charles.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She shuddered to think of Sara's wicked faithlessness; she wept with pity, remembering poor Charles.
positive
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From this reading But to Olive this change seemed a positive sin.
promise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
regret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
remembering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She shuddered to think of Sara's wicked faithlessness; she wept with pity, remembering poor Charles.
remorse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
Sara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
Sara's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She shuddered to think of Sara's wicked faithlessness; she wept with pity, remembering poor Charles.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But to Olive this change seemed a positive sin.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
shuddered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She shuddered to think of Sara's wicked faithlessness; she wept with pity, remembering poor Charles.
simplicity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
sin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to Olive this change seemed a positive sin.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
stating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She shuddered to think of Sara's wicked faithlessness; she wept with pity, remembering poor Charles.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But to Olive this change seemed a positive sin.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
troth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
violated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
wept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She shuddered to think of Sara's wicked faithlessness; she wept with pity, remembering poor Charles.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
wicked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She shuddered to think of Sara's wicked faithlessness; she wept with pity, remembering poor Charles.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
written
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
