Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
admit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
AnothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Another little girl, however, was not asleep.
asleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another little girl, however, was not asleep.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
bedroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
breathing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
bright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
calm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
child-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
curly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
dumpy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
effect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/
very enthusiastic or eager
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
gentle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another little girl, however, was not asleep.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
Helen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Another little girl, however, was not asleep.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
INDIGESTION
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading INDIGESTION WEEK.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
kitchen-maid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Another little girl, however, was not asleep.
Maggie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
modest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
Monday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
noiselessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
parted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
quickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
rosy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
rounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
slept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
slumber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
smallest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
soft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
softest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
sprang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
tap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
uncertain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
WEEK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading INDIGESTION WEEK.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
