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 That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
affections
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From this reading She is of that ardent, impetuous, imaginative temperament which can be led to any madness if misled by its dreams or by its affections.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
answer
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From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
any
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From this reading Was it any other than yourself who were her friend, I should be not only distressed but very apprehensive.
apprehensive
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From this reading Was it any other than yourself who were her friend, I should be not only distressed but very apprehensive.
ardent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She is of that ardent, impetuous, imaginative temperament which can be led to any madness if misled by its dreams or by its affections.
Asia
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From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
away
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From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Was it any other than yourself who were her friend, I should be not only distressed but very apprehensive.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Was it any other than yourself who were her friend, I should be not only distressed but very apprehensive.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She is of that ardent, impetuous, imaginative temperament which can be led to any madness if misled by its dreams or by its affections.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading She is of that ardent, impetuous, imaginative temperament which can be led to any madness if misled by its dreams or by its affections.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
Chinese
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
cross
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
Damaris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
distressnounUS /dɪˈstrɛs/
extreme sadness or suffering
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
distressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrɛst/
suffering from pain, danger, or serious difficulty
From this reading Was it any other than yourself who were her friend, I should be not only distressed but very apprehensive.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
dreams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She is of that ardent, impetuous, imaginative temperament which can be led to any madness if misled by its dreams or by its affections.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it any other than yourself who were her friend, I should be not only distressed but very apprehensive.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
greatly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She is of that ardent, impetuous, imaginative temperament which can be led to any madness if misled by its dreams or by its affections.
imaginative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She is of that ardent, impetuous, imaginative temperament which can be led to any madness if misled by its dreams or by its affections.
impetuous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She is of that ardent, impetuous, imaginative temperament which can be led to any madness if misled by its dreams or by its affections.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She is of that ardent, impetuous, imaginative temperament which can be led to any madness if misled by its dreams or by its affections.
island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Was it any other than yourself who were her friend, I should be not only distressed but very apprehensive.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading She is of that ardent, impetuous, imaginative temperament which can be led to any madness if misled by its dreams or by its affections.
Jesuit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She is of that ardent, impetuous, imaginative temperament which can be led to any madness if misled by its dreams or by its affections.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
madness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She is of that ardent, impetuous, imaginative temperament which can be led to any madness if misled by its dreams or by its affections.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
Melville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
misled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She is of that ardent, impetuous, imaginative temperament which can be led to any madness if misled by its dreams or by its affections.
mission
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
mountains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Was it any other than yourself who were her friend, I should be not only distressed but very apprehensive.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it any other than yourself who were her friend, I should be not only distressed but very apprehensive.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She is of that ardent, impetuous, imaginative temperament which can be led to any madness if misled by its dreams or by its affections.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it any other than yourself who were her friend, I should be not only distressed but very apprehensive.
plains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
reply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
seas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She is of that ardent, impetuous, imaginative temperament which can be led to any madness if misled by its dreams or by its affections.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Was it any other than yourself who were her friend, I should be not only distressed but very apprehensive.
snowy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
startled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
station
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
temperament
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She is of that ardent, impetuous, imaginative temperament which can be led to any madness if misled by its dreams or by its affections.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Was it any other than yourself who were her friend, I should be not only distressed but very apprehensive.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it any other than yourself who were her friend, I should be not only distressed but very apprehensive.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Melville was far away in Asia at a Jesuit mission station in the snowy mountains, and his reply had taken many months to cross the Chinese plains and seas.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Was it any other than yourself who were her friend, I should be not only distressed but very apprehensive.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Was it any other than yourself who were her friend, I should be not only distressed but very apprehensive.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
written
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That night he received a letter from Melville, written in answer to the one in which he had told him the story of Damaris.
wrote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'What you tell me,' he wrote, 'of a child whom I knew so happy on her little island has startled and does distress me greatly.
yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading Was it any other than yourself who were her friend, I should be not only distressed but very apprehensive.
