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 His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
Aksiutka
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
Akulina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
anxiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The children also anxiously awaited their father’s appearance, and, though for different reasons, could hardly restrain their impatience.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole day passed without any one in the village of Pokrovski having seen anything of Polikey.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading The whole day passed without any one in the village of Pokrovski having seen anything of Polikey.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The children also anxiously awaited their father’s appearance, and, though for different reasons, could hardly restrain their impatience.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
awaited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The children also anxiously awaited their father’s appearance, and, though for different reasons, could hardly restrain their impatience.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noblewoman and Akulina were concerned only in regard to Polikey himself, while the children were interested most in what he would bring them from the town.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The children also anxiously awaited their father’s appearance, and, though for different reasons, could hardly restrain their impatience.
concerned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noblewoman and Akulina were concerned only in regard to Polikey himself, while the children were interested most in what he would bring them from the town.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The children also anxiously awaited their father’s appearance, and, though for different reasons, could hardly restrain their impatience.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole day passed without any one in the village of Pokrovski having seen anything of Polikey.
differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The children also anxiously awaited their father’s appearance, and, though for different reasons, could hardly restrain their impatience.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
father's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The children also anxiously awaited their father’s appearance, and, though for different reasons, could hardly restrain their impatience.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
frequently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The noblewoman and Akulina were concerned only in regard to Polikey himself, while the children were interested most in what he would bring them from the town.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The children also anxiously awaited their father’s appearance, and, though for different reasons, could hardly restrain their impatience.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The whole day passed without any one in the village of Pokrovski having seen anything of Polikey.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The noblewoman and Akulina were concerned only in regard to Polikey himself, while the children were interested most in what he would bring them from the town.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The noblewoman and Akulina were concerned only in regard to Polikey himself, while the children were interested most in what he would bring them from the town.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
holy-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
housework
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
impatience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The children also anxiously awaited their father’s appearance, and, though for different reasons, could hardly restrain their impatience.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The whole day passed without any one in the village of Pokrovski having seen anything of Polikey.
inquirednounUS /ˈinquired/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
interested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noblewoman and Akulina were concerned only in regard to Polikey himself, while the children were interested most in what he would bring them from the town.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
load
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
mare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/
A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
mistress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noblewoman and Akulina were concerned only in regard to Polikey himself, while the children were interested most in what he would bring them from the town.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
noblewoman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noblewoman and Akulina were concerned only in regard to Polikey himself, while the children were interested most in what he would bring them from the town.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The whole day passed without any one in the village of Pokrovski having seen anything of Polikey.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The whole day passed without any one in the village of Pokrovski having seen anything of Polikey.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noblewoman and Akulina were concerned only in regard to Polikey himself, while the children were interested most in what he would bring them from the town.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The whole day passed without any one in the village of Pokrovski having seen anything of Polikey.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
Pokrovski
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole day passed without any one in the village of Pokrovski having seen anything of Polikey.
Polikey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole day passed without any one in the village of Pokrovski having seen anything of Polikey.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
reasonsnounUS /ˈreasons/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The children also anxiously awaited their father’s appearance, and, though for different reasons, could hardly restrain their impatience.
regard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noblewoman and Akulina were concerned only in regard to Polikey himself, while the children were interested most in what he would bring them from the town.
restrain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The children also anxiously awaited their father’s appearance, and, though for different reasons, could hardly restrain their impatience.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
saying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole day passed without any one in the village of Pokrovski having seen anything of Polikey.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The whole day passed without any one in the village of Pokrovski having seen anything of Polikey.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The children also anxiously awaited their father’s appearance, and, though for different reasons, could hardly restrain their impatience.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The noblewoman and Akulina were concerned only in regard to Polikey himself, while the children were interested most in what he would bring them from the town.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The children also anxiously awaited their father’s appearance, and, though for different reasons, could hardly restrain their impatience.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noblewoman and Akulina were concerned only in regard to Polikey himself, while the children were interested most in what he would bring them from the town.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
village
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole day passed without any one in the village of Pokrovski having seen anything of Polikey.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The noblewoman and Akulina were concerned only in regard to Polikey himself, while the children were interested most in what he would bring them from the town.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The noblewoman and Akulina were concerned only in regard to Polikey himself, while the children were interested most in what he would bring them from the town.
whereabouts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The noblewoman and Akulina were concerned only in regard to Polikey himself, while the children were interested most in what he would bring them from the town.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole day passed without any one in the village of Pokrovski having seen anything of Polikey.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His poor wife felt a heavy load upon her heart, and was scarcely able to do her housework and put everything in order for the next day (which was to be a holy-day).
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The whole day passed without any one in the village of Pokrovski having seen anything of Polikey.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The noblewoman and Akulina were concerned only in regard to Polikey himself, while the children were interested most in what he would bring them from the town.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading During the afternoon his mistress inquired many times as to his whereabouts, and sent Aksiutka frequently to Akulina, who each time sent back word that Polikey had not yet returned, saying also that perhaps the merchant had kept him, or that something had happened to the mare.