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 Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
Adair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
affairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She heard no word of all her sister was saying, but that did not appear to trouble Paddy in the least, so doubtless it was not an unusual state of affairs.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She heard no word of all her sister was saying, but that did not appear to trouble Paddy in the least, so doubtless it was not an unusual state of affairs.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
appear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
arm's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
blouses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
border
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She heard no word of all her sister was saying, but that did not appear to trouble Paddy in the least, so doubtless it was not an unusual state of affairs.
calling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
choosenounUS /choose/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I wonder which you would choose, Eily?
conversation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
critically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She heard no word of all her sister was saying, but that did not appear to trouble Paddy in the least, so doubtless it was not an unusual state of affairs.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
doubtless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She heard no word of all her sister was saying, but that did not appear to trouble Paddy in the least, so doubtless it was not an unusual state of affairs.
dreamy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
Eily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wonder which you would choose, Eily?
endeavouring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
fond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
gazing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
green
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
grey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She heard no word of all her sister was saying, but that did not appear to trouble Paddy in the least, so doubtless it was not an unusual state of affairs.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
hereafter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
holding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I wonder which you would choose, Eily?
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
Irish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She heard no word of all her sister was saying, but that did not appear to trouble Paddy in the least, so doubtless it was not an unusual state of affairs.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She heard no word of all her sister was saying, but that did not appear to trouble Paddy in the least, so doubtless it was not an unusual state of affairs.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
Loch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
MeanwhilenounUS /ˈmeanwhile/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
motionless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
mountains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
next-best-thing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading She heard no word of all her sister was saying, but that did not appear to trouble Paddy in the least, so doubtless it was not an unusual state of affairs.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She heard no word of all her sister was saying, but that did not appear to trouble Paddy in the least, so doubtless it was not an unusual state of affairs.
occupant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
Paddy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
pattern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
patterns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
pink
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
roses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
runningnounUS /ˈrunning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
saying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She heard no word of all her sister was saying, but that did not appear to trouble Paddy in the least, so doubtless it was not an unusual state of affairs.
selection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
sister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She heard no word of all her sister was saying, but that did not appear to trouble Paddy in the least, so doubtless it was not an unusual state of affairs.
skirt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She heard no word of all her sister was saying, but that did not appear to trouble Paddy in the least, so doubtless it was not an unusual state of affairs.
spots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
spread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She heard no word of all her sister was saying, but that did not appear to trouble Paddy in the least, so doubtless it was not an unusual state of affairs.
surveying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She heard no word of all her sister was saying, but that did not appear to trouble Paddy in the least, so doubtless it was not an unusual state of affairs.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She heard no word of all her sister was saying, but that did not appear to trouble Paddy in the least, so doubtless it was not an unusual state of affairs.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
unusual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She heard no word of all her sister was saying, but that did not appear to trouble Paddy in the least, so doubtless it was not an unusual state of affairs.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
vainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Paddy Adair, the “next-best-thing,” as she was fond of calling herself, and the reason for which will appear hereafter, sat at the table, and spread all around her were little square books of “patterns for blouses,” from which she was vainly endeavouring to make a selection.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Meanwhile she kept up a running conversation with the only other occupant of the room, a girl with dreamy eyes of true Irish blue, who sat in the window, motionless, gazing across the Loch at the distant mountains.
wonder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wonder which you would choose, Eily?
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She heard no word of all her sister was saying, but that did not appear to trouble Paddy in the least, so doubtless it was not an unusual state of affairs.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “This one with green spots and pink roses would look the best with my blue skirt,” Paddy said, holding one pattern at arm’s length and surveying it critically, “but the blue one with the white border would look better with my grey.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I wonder which you would choose, Eily?
