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 This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading SHE was mistaken about Martha, who never had the definite hope Lena’s imagination attributed to her.
ago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What she felt for the big middle-aged man, she felt only because he had long ago been the beloved youth; she was not in love with him, nor with anybody.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
anniversary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/
any person at all
From this reading What she felt for the big middle-aged man, she felt only because he had long ago been the beloved youth; she was not in love with him, nor with anybody.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
attributed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHE was mistaken about Martha, who never had the definite hope Lena’s imagination attributed to her.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You call it your patience, but it became only your habit long ago,” she told him.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
beloved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What she felt for the big middle-aged man, she felt only because he had long ago been the beloved youth; she was not in love with him, nor with anybody.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What she felt for the big middle-aged man, she felt only because he had long ago been the beloved youth; she was not in love with him, nor with anybody.
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
brother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
call
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You call it your patience, but it became only your habit long ago,” she told him.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
Dan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
Day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
definite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHE was mistaken about Martha, who never had the definite hope Lena’s imagination attributed to her.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
dwell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
endowment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
evidently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
explanation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What she felt for the big middle-aged man, she felt only because he had long ago been the beloved youth; she was not in love with him, nor with anybody.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
habit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading SHE was mistaken about Martha, who never had the definite hope Lena’s imagination attributed to her.
Harlan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading What she felt for the big middle-aged man, she felt only because he had long ago been the beloved youth; she was not in love with him, nor with anybody.
heartily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading SHE was mistaken about Martha, who never had the definite hope Lena’s imagination attributed to her.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading What she felt for the big middle-aged man, she felt only because he had long ago been the beloved youth; she was not in love with him, nor with anybody.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHE was mistaken about Martha, who never had the definite hope Lena’s imagination attributed to her.
hopeful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
imagination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHE was mistaken about Martha, who never had the definite hope Lena’s imagination attributed to her.
imperishable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading What she felt for the big middle-aged man, she felt only because he had long ago been the beloved youth; she was not in love with him, nor with anybody.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
Lena's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHE was mistaken about Martha, who never had the definite hope Lena’s imagination attributed to her.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading What she felt for the big middle-aged man, she felt only because he had long ago been the beloved youth; she was not in love with him, nor with anybody.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What she felt for the big middle-aged man, she felt only because he had long ago been the beloved youth; she was not in love with him, nor with anybody.
loved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What she felt for the big middle-aged man, she felt only because he had long ago been the beloved youth; she was not in love with him, nor with anybody.
Martha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHE was mistaken about Martha, who never had the definite hope Lena’s imagination attributed to her.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
middle-aged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What she felt for the big middle-aged man, she felt only because he had long ago been the beloved youth; she was not in love with him, nor with anybody.
mistaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHE was mistaken about Martha, who never had the definite hope Lena’s imagination attributed to her.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading SHE was mistaken about Martha, who never had the definite hope Lena’s imagination attributed to her.
New
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading What she felt for the big middle-aged man, she felt only because he had long ago been the beloved youth; she was not in love with him, nor with anybody.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
Oliphant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What she felt for the big middle-aged man, she felt only because he had long ago been the beloved youth; she was not in love with him, nor with anybody.
patience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
select
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
SHEpronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SHE was mistaken about Martha, who never had the definite hope Lena’s imagination attributed to her.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
steadfast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
tenderness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SHE was mistaken about Martha, who never had the definite hope Lena’s imagination attributed to her.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SHE was mistaken about Martha, who never had the definite hope Lena’s imagination attributed to her.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “You call it your patience, but it became only your habit long ago,” she told him.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
usually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SHE was mistaken about Martha, who never had the definite hope Lena’s imagination attributed to her.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What she felt for the big middle-aged man, she felt only because he had long ago been the beloved youth; she was not in love with him, nor with anybody.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading SHE was mistaken about Martha, who never had the definite hope Lena’s imagination attributed to her.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
Year's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the explanation she still found it necessary to make to his brother about once a year—usually on New Year’s Day; for it was Harlan’s habit to select that hopeful anniversary as a good time to dwell a little upon his patience.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You call it your patience, but it became only your habit long ago,” she told him.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You call it your patience, but it became only your habit long ago,” she told him.
youth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What she felt for the big middle-aged man, she felt only because he had long ago been the beloved youth; she was not in love with him, nor with anybody.
