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 MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
acquired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
audible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She was a “big Western woman,” but she could be sensitive, and had her resentments and her smallnesses.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
begun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
bid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was a “big Western woman,” but she could be sensitive, and had her resentments and her smallnesses.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
characteristic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She was a “big Western woman,” but she could be sensitive, and had her resentments and her smallnesses.
Dan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
denial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
denouncing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
discovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
driver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
exactly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
genuinely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
Harlan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
Henry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was a “big Western woman,” but she could be sensitive, and had her resentments and her smallnesses.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
hurt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
impression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
irritability
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
MARTHA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
meant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
middle-aged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
neglected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
negro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
noon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
Perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
possessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
possessions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
qualified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
remaining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
resentments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was a “big Western woman,” but she could be sensitive, and had her resentments and her smallnesses.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
sensitive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was a “big Western woman,” but she could be sensitive, and had her resentments and her smallnesses.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
Shelby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
smallnesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was a “big Western woman,” but she could be sensitive, and had her resentments and her smallnesses.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
sorry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
Sunday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
tore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
upstairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MARTHA had said that Dan’s remaining away “didn’t hurt—not exactly”; and by this she meant to give Harlan the impression that she was less than hurt; but such a denial, thus qualified, means in truth more than hurt.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
welcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
Western
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was a “big Western woman,” but she could be sensitive, and had her resentments and her smallnesses.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading There were characteristic possessions of his that he had not lost, however; he had even acquired more of them, as she discovered one evening a few weeks after the Sunday noon when little Henry tore her dress.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Shelby had come home from his office in a state of irritability, which he made audible even before he entered the house; and from her windows upstairs she heard him denouncing his old negro driver.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was a “big Western woman,” but she could be sensitive, and had her resentments and her smallnesses.
youth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps she was not quite genuinely sorry to believe that the old friend who neglected to bid her welcome home had begun to look almost middle-aged and seemed to have lost something fine that he had possessed in his youth.
