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 From her parents he always had a welcome.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEEPENING SHADOWS But before Coulson was married, many small events happened--small events to all but Philip.
alternations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From her parents he always had a welcome.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To him they were as the sun and moon.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
apparently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To him they were as the sun and moon.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading DEEPENING SHADOWS But before Coulson was married, many small events happened--small events to all but Philip.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading DEEPENING SHADOWS But before Coulson was married, many small events happened--small events to all but Philip.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Oppressed by their daughter's depression of spirits, they hailed the coming of any visitor as a change for her as well as for themselves.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
change
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oppressed by their daughter's depression of spirits, they hailed the coming of any visitor as a change for her as well as for themselves.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oppressed by their daughter's depression of spirits, they hailed the coming of any visitor as a change for her as well as for themselves.
Coulson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEEPENING SHADOWS But before Coulson was married, many small events happened--small events to all but Philip.
daughter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oppressed by their daughter's depression of spirits, they hailed the coming of any visitor as a change for her as well as for themselves.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
DEEPENING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEEPENING SHADOWS But before Coulson was married, many small events happened--small events to all but Philip.
depression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oppressed by their daughter's depression of spirits, they hailed the coming of any visitor as a change for her as well as for themselves.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
events
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEEPENING SHADOWS But before Coulson was married, many small events happened--small events to all but Philip.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Oppressed by their daughter's depression of spirits, they hailed the coming of any visitor as a change for her as well as for themselves.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
hailednounUS /hailed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Oppressed by their daughter's depression of spirits, they hailed the coming of any visitor as a change for her as well as for themselves.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEEPENING SHADOWS But before Coulson was married, many small events happened--small events to all but Philip.
happiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
Haytersbank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading From her parents he always had a welcome.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To him they were as the sun and moon.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEEPENING SHADOWS But before Coulson was married, many small events happened--small events to all but Philip.
married
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEEPENING SHADOWS But before Coulson was married, many small events happened--small events to all but Philip.
moon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To him they were as the sun and moon.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Oppressed by their daughter's depression of spirits, they hailed the coming of any visitor as a change for her as well as for themselves.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
Oppressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oppressed by their daughter's depression of spirits, they hailed the coming of any visitor as a change for her as well as for themselves.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
parents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From her parents he always had a welcome.
Philip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEEPENING SHADOWS But before Coulson was married, many small events happened--small events to all but Philip.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
SHADOWS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEEPENING SHADOWS But before Coulson was married, many small events happened--small events to all but Philip.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEEPENING SHADOWS But before Coulson was married, many small events happened--small events to all but Philip.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
sorrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
spirits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oppressed by their daughter's depression of spirits, they hailed the coming of any visitor as a change for her as well as for themselves.
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To him they were as the sun and moon.
Sylvia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To him they were as the sun and moon.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Oppressed by their daughter's depression of spirits, they hailed the coming of any visitor as a change for her as well as for themselves.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Oppressed by their daughter's depression of spirits, they hailed the coming of any visitor as a change for her as well as for themselves.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To him they were as the sun and moon.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DEEPENING SHADOWS But before Coulson was married, many small events happened--small events to all but Philip.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
visitor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oppressed by their daughter's depression of spirits, they hailed the coming of any visitor as a change for her as well as for themselves.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading DEEPENING SHADOWS But before Coulson was married, many small events happened--small events to all but Philip.
welcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From her parents he always had a welcome.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oppressed by their daughter's depression of spirits, they hailed the coming of any visitor as a change for her as well as for themselves.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To him they were as the sun and moon.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The days when he went up to Haytersbank and Sylvia spoke to him, the days when he went up and she had apparently no heart to speak to any one, but left the room as soon as he came, or never entered it at all, although she must have known that he was there--these were his alternations from happiness to sorrow.
