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 Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
absences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were letters which at intervals during his various absences she had received from Harold Gwynne.
almost
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From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
answer
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From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.
came
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From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.
carefully
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From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
changed
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From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.
character
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From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
correspondence
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From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
desk
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From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.
distinctly
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From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading They were letters which at intervals during his various absences she had received from Harold Gwynne.
expression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.
finished
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From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
Gwynne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
Harold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were letters which at intervals during his various absences she had received from Harold Gwynne.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They were letters which at intervals during his various absences she had received from Harold Gwynne.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
intervals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were letters which at intervals during his various absences she had received from Harold Gwynne.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
many
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From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.
memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.
Midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.
note
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
Often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.
Olive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
packet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
past
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From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
poring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were letters which at intervals during his various absences she had received from Harold Gwynne.
remainder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
sacred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
sentences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.
separated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.
softly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.
solemn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
spoken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
touch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.
touched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.
tremulously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.
unlike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
various
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were letters which at intervals during his various absences she had received from Harold Gwynne.
vivid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They were letters which at intervals during his various absences she had received from Harold Gwynne.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.
withal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.
