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 "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
Anna
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From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Their wages are but a small item, my clear Roland."
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
beetle
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From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
Bolt
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From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
brows
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From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Their wages are but a small item, my clear Roland."
call
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From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."
called
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From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
can't
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From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."
clear
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From this reading Their wages are but a small item, my clear Roland."
cook
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From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
difficulty
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From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."
equal
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From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
establishment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
fewer
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From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."
fish
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From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
game
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From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
garden
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From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
girl
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From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
Hem
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From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
housekeeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
housekeeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
inflection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."
item
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From this reading Their wages are but a small item, my clear Roland."
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
less
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From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."
Maria
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
mild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It is so," said my mother, with mild positiveness.
Molly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."
mutton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
persuading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
positiveness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It is so," said my mother, with mild positiveness.
poultry-yard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
Primmins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
Roland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
servants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."
settled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."
slight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their wages are but a small item, my clear Roland."
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "It is so," said my mother, with mild positiveness.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
stirring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
submitverbUS /səbˈmɪt/
to accept another person's control or a difficult situation
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
TheirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their wages are but a small item, my clear Roland."
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
thrifty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
wagesplural nounUS /ˈweɪdʒɪz/
money or a reward earned for work
From this reading Their wages are but a small item, my clear Roland."
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
willing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think, Roland," said my mother, "that the establishment is settled,-- Bolt, who is equal to three men at least; Primmins, cook and housekeeper; Molly, a good, stirring girl, and willing (though I've had some difficulty in persuading her to submit not to be called Anna Maria).
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Hem!" said Roland; "since we can't do with fewer servants at less wages, I suppose we must call it small."
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "And indeed, what with the game and fish, and the garden and poultry-yard, and your own mutton, our housekeeping will be next to nothing," "Hem!" again said the thrifty Roland, with a slight inflection of the beetle brows.
