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 VINNIE MAKES A BEGINNING.
action
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could think of no relief but in action.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."
BEGINNINGnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading VINNIE MAKES A BEGINNING.
Betterson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She could think of no relief but in action.
complacent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She could think of no relief but in action.
deluge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
depression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
dismay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
disorder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
distressnounUS /dɪˈstrɛs/
extreme sadness or suffering
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
dreaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
enfeebled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
enter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
headway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
household
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
Jack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
learned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
Lill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
Lord
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
MAKES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VINNIE MAKES A BEGINNING.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
midst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
misery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
momentary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading She could think of no relief but in action.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."
ones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
pompous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/
a feeling of comfort after worry or pain
From this reading She could think of no relief but in action.
rights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."
setting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
shrunk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
sick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
spirits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
stifle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She could think of no relief but in action.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
undertakingnounUS /ˌʌndərˈteɪkɪŋ/
a serious task, project, or venture that someone agrees to do
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/
except if; if not
From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."
VINNIE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VINNIE MAKES A BEGINNING.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The sight of the sick ones, the mother enfeebled in mind as well as in body, Lord Betterson pompous and complacent in the midst of so much misery, little Lill alone making headway against a deluge of disorder,--all this filled her with distress and dismay.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I shall stifle," thought she, "unless I go to work at once, setting things to rights."
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Vinnie learned only too soon why Jack had dreaded so much to have her enter the Betterson household; and, in a momentary depression of spirits, she asked herself whether, if she had known all she was undertaking, she would not have shrunk from it.
