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 suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
always
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From this reading It is the peculiar and undisputed privilege of the historian to read thoughts, but it is not always necessary to write them down.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
apparelled
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From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
apparition
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From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
awakened
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From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
bachelors
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From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
back
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From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It is the peculiar and undisputed privilege of the historian to read thoughts, but it is not always necessary to write them down.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
clay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
creaturenounUS /ˈcreature/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
daintily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
dainty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
delicate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
delicately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
Dering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the peculiar and undisputed privilege of the historian to read thoughts, but it is not always necessary to write them down.
driest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
ELSE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
Elsie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
gazing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
goddess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
HAPPENS
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From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He sat up and sighed.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
historian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the peculiar and undisputed privilege of the historian to read thoughts, but it is not always necessary to write them down.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
instincts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is the peculiar and undisputed privilege of the historian to read thoughts, but it is not always necessary to write them down.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is the peculiar and undisputed privilege of the historian to read thoughts, but it is not always necessary to write them down.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
lawyers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
long-forgotten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
lovely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the peculiar and undisputed privilege of the historian to read thoughts, but it is not always necessary to write them down.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is the peculiar and undisputed privilege of the historian to read thoughts, but it is not always necessary to write them down.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
parchmentnounUS /ˈpɑːrtʃ.mənt/
A stiff, flat, thin material made from the prepared skin of an animal, used for writing.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
peculiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the peculiar and undisputed privilege of the historian to read thoughts, but it is not always necessary to write them down.
Perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
piles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
privilege
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the peculiar and undisputed privilege of the historian to read thoughts, but it is not always necessary to write them down.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the peculiar and undisputed privilege of the historian to read thoughts, but it is not always necessary to write them down.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat up and sighed.
sighed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat up and sighed.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
SOMETHINGpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
stifled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It is the peculiar and undisputed privilege of the historian to read thoughts, but it is not always necessary to write them down.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
touched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
undisputed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the peculiar and undisputed privilege of the historian to read thoughts, but it is not always necessary to write them down.
unexpectedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
unromantic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat up and sighed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS Mr. Dering lay back in his chair, gazing at the door--the unromantic office door--through which Elsie had just passed.
wood-nymph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
write
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the peculiar and undisputed privilege of the historian to read thoughts, but it is not always necessary to write them down.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I suppose that even the driest of old bachelors and lawyers may be touched by the sight of a young girl made suddenly and unexpectedly happy.
youth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the mere apparition of a lovely girl, dainty and delicate and sweet, daintily and delicately apparelled, so as to look like a goddess or a wood-nymph rather than a creature of clay, may have awakened old and long-forgotten thoughts before the instincts of youth were stifled by piles of parchment.
