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 “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
acknowledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
Bombylius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
brother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
brothers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
call
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From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
class
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From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
Claude
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From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
clear
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From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
communicated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
creature's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
creatures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
dostauxiliary verbUS /dɑːst/
an old form of “do”, used with “thou”
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
eager
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
eldest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
fellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
first-born
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
fly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
foreseen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
fulfilled
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From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
funny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
Genus
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From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
handsomenounUS /ˈhandsome/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
holidays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.
idleness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
inquiries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
intended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.
introducing
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From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
Isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
learn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
Lily's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
Majus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
Maurice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
meeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
Monday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
observations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
perfections
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
refused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.
Reginald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
reply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
requirednounUS /required/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.
result
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
shown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
smiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
sounding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
species
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
strangers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
Sunday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
thoupronounUS /ðaʊ/
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
Tis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Is it meet,” said he, “This creature’s name should one so sounding be— ’Tis but a fly, though first-born of the spring, Bombylius Majus, dost thou call the thing?”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ‘But smiled to hear the creatures he had known So long were now in class and order shown— Genus and species.
Weston's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading On Monday, Reginald and Maurice were required to learn what they had always refused to acknowledge, that the holidays were not intended to be spent in idleness.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Claude never spoke to strangers more than he could help, Maurice and Reginald were in the room only a short time; so that the result of Miss Weston’s observations, when communicated in reply to Lily’s eager inquiries, was only that Claude was very like his father and eldest brother, Reginald very handsome, and Maurice looked like a very funny fellow.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was not till Sunday, that Lily’s eager wish was fulfilled, of introducing her friend and her brothers; but, as she might have foreseen, their first meeting did not make the perfections of either party very clear to the other.