adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
altarnounUS /ˈɔːltər/
the table in Christian churches where communion is given
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She sat before the little charcoal brazier and warmed her transparent, needle-pricked fingers, thinking meanwhile of the strange events of the day.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading So Miss Sophie stayed to the wedding; for what feminine heart, be it ever so old and seared, does not delight in one?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She sat before the little charcoal brazier and warmed her transparent, needle-pricked fingers, thinking meanwhile of the strange events of the day.
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
braziernounUS /ˈbreɪziər/
large metal container in which coal or charcoal is burned; warms people who must stay outside for long times
From this reading She sat before the little charcoal brazier and warmed her transparent, needle-pricked fingers, thinking meanwhile of the strange events of the day.
bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
burstverbUS /bɜːrst/
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
calmverbUS /kɑːm/
make calm or still
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
carryverbUS /ˈkæri/
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
charcoalnounUS /ˈtʃɑːrkoʊl/
a carbonaceous material obtained by heating wood or other organic matter in the absence of air
From this reading She sat before the little charcoal brazier and warmed her transparent, needle-pricked fingers, thinking meanwhile of the strange events of the day.
ChurchnounUS /tʃɜːrtʃ/
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
coarseadjectiveUS /kɔːrs/
of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
CreolenounUS /ˈkriːoʊl/
a person of European descent born in the West Indies or Latin America
From this reading And why should not a poor little Creole old maid be interested too?
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading She sat before the little charcoal brazier and warmed her transparent, needle-pricked fingers, thinking meanwhile of the strange events of the day.
dazzleverbUS /ˈdæzəl/
to cause someone to lose clear vision, especially from intense light
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
delightverbUS /dɪˈlaɪt/
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading So Miss Sophie stayed to the wedding; for what feminine heart, be it ever so old and seared, does not delight in one?
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So Miss Sophie stayed to the wedding; for what feminine heart, be it ever so old and seared, does not delight in one?
eventsnounUS /ɪˈvents/
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading She sat before the little charcoal brazier and warmed her transparent, needle-pricked fingers, thinking meanwhile of the strange events of the day.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading So Miss Sophie stayed to the wedding; for what feminine heart, be it ever so old and seared, does not delight in one?
factorynounUS /ˈfæktəri/
a plant consisting of one or more buildings with facilities for manufacturing
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
feminineadjectiveUS /ˈfemənən/
associated with women and not with men
From this reading So Miss Sophie stayed to the wedding; for what feminine heart, be it ever so old and seared, does not delight in one?
fingersnounUS /ˈfɪŋɡərz/
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading She sat before the little charcoal brazier and warmed her transparent, needle-pricked fingers, thinking meanwhile of the strange events of the day.
flowersnounUS /ˈflaʊərz/
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading So Miss Sophie stayed to the wedding; for what feminine heart, be it ever so old and seared, does not delight in one?
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
frou-frou
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
glitteringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
guestsnounUS /ɡests/
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading So Miss Sophie stayed to the wedding; for what feminine heart, be it ever so old and seared, does not delight in one?
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She sat before the little charcoal brazier and warmed her transparent, needle-pricked fingers, thinking meanwhile of the strange events of the day.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
interestedadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪd/
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading And why should not a poor little Creole old maid be interested too?
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading So Miss Sophie stayed to the wedding; for what feminine heart, be it ever so old and seared, does not delight in one?
JesuitnounUS /ˈdʒeʒuːɪt/
a member of the Jesuit order
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
kneltverbUS /nelt/
inflected form of “kneel” — rest one's weight on one's knees
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
lightsnounUS /laɪts/
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She sat before the little charcoal brazier and warmed her transparent, needle-pricked fingers, thinking meanwhile of the strange events of the day.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
maidnounUS /meɪd/
a female domestic
From this reading And why should not a poor little Creole old maid be interested too?
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
meanwhileadverbUS /ˈmiːnwaɪl/
at the same time but in another place
From this reading She sat before the little charcoal brazier and warmed her transparent, needle-pricked fingers, thinking meanwhile of the strange events of the day.
MissverbUS /mɪs/
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading So Miss Sophie stayed to the wedding; for what feminine heart, be it ever so old and seared, does not delight in one?
musicnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪk/
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
needle-pricked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat before the little charcoal brazier and warmed her transparent, needle-pricked fingers, thinking meanwhile of the strange events of the day.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading So Miss Sophie stayed to the wedding; for what feminine heart, be it ever so old and seared, does not delight in one?
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She sat before the little charcoal brazier and warmed her transparent, needle-pricked fingers, thinking meanwhile of the strange events of the day.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading So Miss Sophie stayed to the wedding; for what feminine heart, be it ever so old and seared, does not delight in one?
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading So Miss Sophie stayed to the wedding; for what feminine heart, be it ever so old and seared, does not delight in one?
organnounUS /ˈɔːrɡən/
a fully differentiated structural and functional unit in an animal that is specialized for some particular function
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
overpoweringadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərˈpaʊrɪŋ/
so strong as to be irresistible
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
pantsnounUS /pænts/
(used in the plural) underpants worn by women
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
perfumenounUS /pərˈfjuːm/
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
pittancenounUS /ˈpɪtəns/
an inadequate payment
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading And why should not a poor little Creole old maid be interested too?
prayernounUS /prer/
the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
receiveverbUS /rəˈsiːv/
get something; come into possession of
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading She sat before the little charcoal brazier and warmed her transparent, needle-pricked fingers, thinking meanwhile of the strange events of the day.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
searedadjectiveUS /sɪrd/
having the surface burned quickly with intense heat
From this reading So Miss Sophie stayed to the wedding; for what feminine heart, be it ever so old and seared, does not delight in one?
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She sat before the little charcoal brazier and warmed her transparent, needle-pricked fingers, thinking meanwhile of the strange events of the day.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading And why should not a poor little Creole old maid be interested too?
silkenadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlkən/
having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So Miss Sophie stayed to the wedding; for what feminine heart, be it ever so old and seared, does not delight in one?
Sophie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Miss Sophie stayed to the wedding; for what feminine heart, be it ever so old and seared, does not delight in one?
stayedverbUS /steɪd/
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading So Miss Sophie stayed to the wedding; for what feminine heart, be it ever so old and seared, does not delight in one?
stoppedadjectiveUS /stɑːpt/
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading She sat before the little charcoal brazier and warmed her transparent, needle-pricked fingers, thinking meanwhile of the strange events of the day.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She sat before the little charcoal brazier and warmed her transparent, needle-pricked fingers, thinking meanwhile of the strange events of the day.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
thinkingnounUS /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading She sat before the little charcoal brazier and warmed her transparent, needle-pricked fingers, thinking meanwhile of the strange events of the day.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading And why should not a poor little Creole old maid be interested too?
townnounUS /taʊn/
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
transparentadjectiveUS /trænˈsperənt/
transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity
From this reading She sat before the little charcoal brazier and warmed her transparent, needle-pricked fingers, thinking meanwhile of the strange events of the day.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
vestsnounUS /vests/
plural of “vest” — a man's sleeveless garment worn underneath a coat
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
VirginnounUS /ˈvɜːrdʒɪn/
a person who has never had sex
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
warmedadjectiveUS /wɔːrmd/
having been warmed up
From this reading She sat before the little charcoal brazier and warmed her transparent, needle-pricked fingers, thinking meanwhile of the strange events of the day.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
weddingnounUS /ˈwedɪŋ/
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading So Miss Sophie stayed to the wedding; for what feminine heart, be it ever so old and seared, does not delight in one?
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading She had been up town to carry the great, black bundle of coarse pants and vests to the factory and to receive her small pittance, and on the way home stopped in at the Jesuit Church to say her little prayer at the altar of the calm white Virgin.
whynounUS /waɪ/
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading And why should not a poor little Creole old maid be interested too?
wondrousadjectiveUS /ˈwʌndrəs/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading There had been a wondrous burst of music from the great organ as she knelt there, an overpowering perfume of many flowers, the glittering dazzle of many lights, and the dainty frou-frou made by the silken skirts of wedding guests.
