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 "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
affections
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
agitated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had said it, and in an instant every eye in the room was riveted upon Pixie, and every heart sank woefully at the sight of her crimson, agitated face.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She had said it, and in an instant every eye in the room was riveted upon Pixie, and every heart sank woefully at the sight of her crimson, agitated face.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I couldn't be sure, but I _thought_ it was Mademoiselle's!"
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Miss Phipps felt the same, but it did not become her to show favouritism, and her voice was very stern and cold.
breast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I couldn't be sure, but I _thought_ it was Mademoiselle's!"
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Miss Phipps felt the same, but it did not become her to show favouritism, and her voice was very stern and cold.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
companions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I couldn't be sure, but I _thought_ it was Mademoiselle's!"
crimson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had said it, and in an instant every eye in the room was riveted upon Pixie, and every heart sank woefully at the sight of her crimson, agitated face.
culprit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
dancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Perhaps Miss Phipps felt the same, but it did not become her to show favouritism, and her voice was very stern and cold.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading She had said it, and in an instant every eye in the room was riveted upon Pixie, and every heart sank woefully at the sight of her crimson, agitated face.
eye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had said it, and in an instant every eye in the room was riveted upon Pixie, and every heart sank woefully at the sight of her crimson, agitated face.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had said it, and in an instant every eye in the room was riveted upon Pixie, and every heart sank woefully at the sight of her crimson, agitated face.
favouritism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Miss Phipps felt the same, but it did not become her to show favouritism, and her voice was very stern and cold.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Miss Phipps felt the same, but it did not become her to show favouritism, and her voice was very stern and cold.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
gained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
girl's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had said it, and in an instant every eye in the room was riveted upon Pixie, and every heart sank woefully at the sight of her crimson, agitated face.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had said it, and in an instant every eye in the room was riveted upon Pixie, and every heart sank woefully at the sight of her crimson, agitated face.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had said it, and in an instant every eye in the room was riveted upon Pixie, and every heart sank woefully at the sight of her crimson, agitated face.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had said it, and in an instant every eye in the room was riveted upon Pixie, and every heart sank woefully at the sight of her crimson, agitated face.
Irish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I couldn't be sure, but I _thought_ it was Mademoiselle's!"
kind-hearted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
loving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
Mademoiselle's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I couldn't be sure, but I _thought_ it was Mademoiselle's!"
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Perhaps Miss Phipps felt the same, but it did not become her to show favouritism, and her voice was very stern and cold.
O'Shaughnessy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
passagenounUS /ˈpassage/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
Perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Miss Phipps felt the same, but it did not become her to show favouritism, and her voice was very stern and cold.
Phipps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Miss Phipps felt the same, but it did not become her to show favouritism, and her voice was very stern and cold.
Pixie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had said it, and in an instant every eye in the room was riveted upon Pixie, and every heart sank woefully at the sight of her crimson, agitated face.
prefer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
riveted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had said it, and in an instant every eye in the room was riveted upon Pixie, and every heart sank woefully at the sight of her crimson, agitated face.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had said it, and in an instant every eye in the room was riveted upon Pixie, and every heart sank woefully at the sight of her crimson, agitated face.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Perhaps Miss Phipps felt the same, but it did not become her to show favouritism, and her voice was very stern and cold.
sank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had said it, and in an instant every eye in the room was riveted upon Pixie, and every heart sank woefully at the sight of her crimson, agitated face.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had said it, and in an instant every eye in the room was riveted upon Pixie, and every heart sank woefully at the sight of her crimson, agitated face.
show
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Miss Phipps felt the same, but it did not become her to show favouritism, and her voice was very stern and cold.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had said it, and in an instant every eye in the room was riveted upon Pixie, and every heart sank woefully at the sight of her crimson, agitated face.
stern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Miss Phipps felt the same, but it did not become her to show favouritism, and her voice was very stern and cold.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I couldn't be sure, but I _thought_ it was Mademoiselle's!"
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I couldn't be sure, but I _thought_ it was Mademoiselle's!"
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She had said it, and in an instant every eye in the room was riveted upon Pixie, and every heart sank woefully at the sight of her crimson, agitated face.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Miss Phipps felt the same, but it did not become her to show favouritism, and her voice was very stern and cold.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Miss Phipps felt the same, but it did not become her to show favouritism, and her voice was very stern and cold.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading "I saw--when I went up first in the middle of the dancing, I was at the end of the passage, and I saw little Miss O'Shaughnessy coming out of a room.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
woefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had said it, and in an instant every eye in the room was riveted upon Pixie, and every heart sank woefully at the sight of her crimson, agitated face.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It said much for the hold which she had gained on her companions' affections that at this moment the feeling in every girl's breast was that she would prefer to find the culprit in almost any other girl in the school than in dear, loving, kind-hearted Irish Pixie.
