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 Her first step was to discharge Sophia's woman, a village maid, who had come with her young mistress from the country.
all
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From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
arrangements
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From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
Aunt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
Chalkhill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
chamber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her first step was to discharge Sophia's woman, a village maid, who had come with her young mistress from the country.
concerned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
country
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From this reading Her first step was to discharge Sophia's woman, a village maid, who had come with her young mistress from the country.
culprit's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
custody
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
danger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
discharge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first step was to discharge Sophia's woman, a village maid, who had come with her young mistress from the country.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
erring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
experience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her first step was to discharge Sophia's woman, a village maid, who had come with her young mistress from the country.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Her first step was to discharge Sophia's woman, a village maid, who had come with her young mistress from the country.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her first step was to discharge Sophia's woman, a village maid, who had come with her young mistress from the country.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She knew something of intrigue, something of her sex.
immediately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
intrigue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She knew something of intrigue, something of her sex.
intrusted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
key
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She knew something of intrigue, something of her sex.
Leah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
leniency
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
LOST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WORLD WELL LOST Mrs. Northey was no novice.
madam's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
maid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first step was to discharge Sophia's woman, a village maid, who had come with her young mistress from the country.
Martha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
matured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
mistress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first step was to discharge Sophia's woman, a village maid, who had come with her young mistress from the country.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WORLD WELL LOST Mrs. Northey was no novice.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading THE WORLD WELL LOST Mrs. Northey was no novice.
Northey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WORLD WELL LOST Mrs. Northey was no novice.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
novice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WORLD WELL LOST Mrs. Northey was no novice.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She knew something of intrigue, something of her sex.
offender's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
postponed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
secured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
sex
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She knew something of intrigue, something of her sex.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She knew something of intrigue, something of her sex.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading She knew something of intrigue, something of her sex.
Sophia's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first step was to discharge Sophia's woman, a village maid, who had come with her young mistress from the country.
sour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
spinster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her first step was to discharge Sophia's woman, a village maid, who had come with her young mistress from the country.
surer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WORLD WELL LOST Mrs. Northey was no novice.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Her first step was to discharge Sophia's woman, a village maid, who had come with her young mistress from the country.
transport
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Northey could not immediately leave London, therefore it was necessary that arrangements for the culprit's transport to the surer custody of Aunt Leah at Chalkhill should be postponed, but all that Mrs. Northey could do short of this she did.
unfortunate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
village
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first step was to discharge Sophia's woman, a village maid, who had come with her young mistress from the country.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE WORLD WELL LOST Mrs. Northey was no novice.
WELL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WORLD WELL LOST Mrs. Northey was no novice.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Her first step was to discharge Sophia's woman, a village maid, who had come with her young mistress from the country.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her first step was to discharge Sophia's woman, a village maid, who had come with her young mistress from the country.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first step was to discharge Sophia's woman, a village maid, who had come with her young mistress from the country.
WORLD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WORLD WELL LOST Mrs. Northey was no novice.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The key of the offender's chamber was then intrusted to madam's own woman, Mrs. Martha, a sour spinster, matured not by years only, but by an unfortunate experience of the other sex, which secured her from the danger of erring on the side of leniency where they were concerned.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first step was to discharge Sophia's woman, a village maid, who had come with her young mistress from the country.
