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 A GARDEN FLOWER, OR A BANIAN-TREE.
absorbed
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From this reading Neither of them could speak of the subject that absorbed their thoughts, nor had either courage enough to begin other topics of conversation.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He had seen Polly twice after his return to San Francisco; but the first meeting was an utter failure, and the second nearly as trying.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had seen Polly twice after his return to San Francisco; but the first meeting was an utter failure, and the second nearly as trying.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had seen Polly twice after his return to San Francisco; but the first meeting was an utter failure, and the second nearly as trying.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Edgar was a junior now, back at his work, sunburned and strong from his summer's outing.
August
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From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
back
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From this reading Edgar was a junior now, back at his work, sunburned and strong from his summer's outing.
BANIAN-TREE
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From this reading A GARDEN FLOWER, OR A BANIAN-TREE.
Barbara
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From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
begin
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From this reading Neither of them could speak of the subject that absorbed their thoughts, nor had either courage enough to begin other topics of conversation.
Bird
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From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
burden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had seen Polly twice after his return to San Francisco; but the first meeting was an utter failure, and the second nearly as trying.
conversation
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From this reading Neither of them could speak of the subject that absorbed their thoughts, nor had either courage enough to begin other topics of conversation.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Neither of them could speak of the subject that absorbed their thoughts, nor had either courage enough to begin other topics of conversation.
courage
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From this reading Neither of them could speak of the subject that absorbed their thoughts, nor had either courage enough to begin other topics of conversation.
Edgar
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From this reading Edgar was a junior now, back at his work, sunburned and strong from his summer's outing.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Neither of them could speak of the subject that absorbed their thoughts, nor had either courage enough to begin other topics of conversation.
enough
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From this reading Neither of them could speak of the subject that absorbed their thoughts, nor had either courage enough to begin other topics of conversation.
failure
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From this reading He had seen Polly twice after his return to San Francisco; but the first meeting was an utter failure, and the second nearly as trying.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had seen Polly twice after his return to San Francisco; but the first meeting was an utter failure, and the second nearly as trying.
FLOWER
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From this reading A GARDEN FLOWER, OR A BANIAN-TREE.
former
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From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
Francisco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seen Polly twice after his return to San Francisco; but the first meeting was an utter failure, and the second nearly as trying.
friends
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From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Edgar was a junior now, back at his work, sunburned and strong from his summer's outing.
GARDEN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GARDEN FLOWER, OR A BANIAN-TREE.
give
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From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had seen Polly twice after his return to San Francisco; but the first meeting was an utter failure, and the second nearly as trying.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had seen Polly twice after his return to San Francisco; but the first meeting was an utter failure, and the second nearly as trying.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Edgar was a junior now, back at his work, sunburned and strong from his summer's outing.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
junior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edgar was a junior now, back at his work, sunburned and strong from his summer's outing.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
meeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seen Polly twice after his return to San Francisco; but the first meeting was an utter failure, and the second nearly as trying.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seen Polly twice after his return to San Francisco; but the first meeting was an utter failure, and the second nearly as trying.
NeitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Neither of them could speak of the subject that absorbed their thoughts, nor had either courage enough to begin other topics of conversation.
Nobles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Neither of them could speak of the subject that absorbed their thoughts, nor had either courage enough to begin other topics of conversation.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edgar was a junior now, back at his work, sunburned and strong from his summer's outing.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
ORconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A GARDEN FLOWER, OR A BANIAN-TREE.
other
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From this reading Neither of them could speak of the subject that absorbed their thoughts, nor had either courage enough to begin other topics of conversation.
outing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edgar was a junior now, back at his work, sunburned and strong from his summer's outing.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
ranch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seen Polly twice after his return to San Francisco; but the first meeting was an utter failure, and the second nearly as trying.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seen Polly twice after his return to San Francisco; but the first meeting was an utter failure, and the second nearly as trying.
Santa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
scenes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seen Polly twice after his return to San Francisco; but the first meeting was an utter failure, and the second nearly as trying.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seen Polly twice after his return to San Francisco; but the first meeting was an utter failure, and the second nearly as trying.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
soothe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Neither of them could speak of the subject that absorbed their thoughts, nor had either courage enough to begin other topics of conversation.
spirit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edgar was a junior now, back at his work, sunburned and strong from his summer's outing.
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Neither of them could speak of the subject that absorbed their thoughts, nor had either courage enough to begin other topics of conversation.
summer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edgar was a junior now, back at his work, sunburned and strong from his summer's outing.
sunburned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edgar was a junior now, back at his work, sunburned and strong from his summer's outing.
sunshiny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Neither of them could speak of the subject that absorbed their thoughts, nor had either courage enough to begin other topics of conversation.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Neither of them could speak of the subject that absorbed their thoughts, nor had either courage enough to begin other topics of conversation.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Neither of them could speak of the subject that absorbed their thoughts, nor had either courage enough to begin other topics of conversation.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
topics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Neither of them could speak of the subject that absorbed their thoughts, nor had either courage enough to begin other topics of conversation.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seen Polly twice after his return to San Francisco; but the first meeting was an utter failure, and the second nearly as trying.
twice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seen Polly twice after his return to San Francisco; but the first meeting was an utter failure, and the second nearly as trying.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
utter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seen Polly twice after his return to San Francisco; but the first meeting was an utter failure, and the second nearly as trying.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Edgar was a junior now, back at his work, sunburned and strong from his summer's outing.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In August Mr. John Bird took Polly to the Nobles' ranch in Santa Barbara, in the hope that the old scenes and old friends might soothe her, and give her strength to take up the burden of life with something of her former sunshiny spirit.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edgar was a junior now, back at his work, sunburned and strong from his summer's outing.
