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 She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
absolutely
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From this reading For some time, however, the conversation was absolutely unintelligible to her.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
AlthoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was chiefly Polwarth, often Wingfold, and now and then Drew that spoke, Rachel contributing only an occasional word.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But soon the fancy came, that she was listening at the door of the other world to catch news of her Leopold, and that made her forget herself and put her at peace.
appearing
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From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
attempting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But soon the fancy came, that she was listening at the door of the other world to catch news of her Leopold, and that made her forget herself and put her at peace.
came
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From this reading But soon the fancy came, that she was listening at the door of the other world to catch news of her Leopold, and that made her forget herself and put her at peace.
catch
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From this reading But soon the fancy came, that she was listening at the door of the other world to catch news of her Leopold, and that made her forget herself and put her at peace.
chiefly
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From this reading It was chiefly Polwarth, often Wingfold, and now and then Drew that spoke, Rachel contributing only an occasional word.
clue
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From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
contributing
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From this reading It was chiefly Polwarth, often Wingfold, and now and then Drew that spoke, Rachel contributing only an occasional word.
conversation
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From this reading For some time, however, the conversation was absolutely unintelligible to her.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But soon the fancy came, that she was listening at the door of the other world to catch news of her Leopold, and that made her forget herself and put her at peace.
DrewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was chiefly Polwarth, often Wingfold, and now and then Drew that spoke, Rachel contributing only an occasional word.
drift
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From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
effort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
fancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But soon the fancy came, that she was listening at the door of the other world to catch news of her Leopold, and that made her forget herself and put her at peace.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For some time, however, the conversation was absolutely unintelligible to her.
forget
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But soon the fancy came, that she was listening at the door of the other world to catch news of her Leopold, and that made her forget herself and put her at peace.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
granted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
HEARD
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From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
HELEN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading But soon the fancy came, that she was listening at the door of the other world to catch news of her Leopold, and that made her forget herself and put her at peace.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading For some time, however, the conversation was absolutely unintelligible to her.
impropriety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
Leopold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But soon the fancy came, that she was listening at the door of the other world to catch news of her Leopold, and that made her forget herself and put her at peace.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
listening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But soon the fancy came, that she was listening at the door of the other world to catch news of her Leopold, and that made her forget herself and put her at peace.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But soon the fancy came, that she was listening at the door of the other world to catch news of her Leopold, and that made her forget herself and put her at peace.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But soon the fancy came, that she was listening at the door of the other world to catch news of her Leopold, and that made her forget herself and put her at peace.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
occasional
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was chiefly Polwarth, often Wingfold, and now and then Drew that spoke, Rachel contributing only an occasional word.
oddly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was chiefly Polwarth, often Wingfold, and now and then Drew that spoke, Rachel contributing only an occasional word.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was chiefly Polwarth, often Wingfold, and now and then Drew that spoke, Rachel contributing only an occasional word.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But soon the fancy came, that she was listening at the door of the other world to catch news of her Leopold, and that made her forget herself and put her at peace.
parts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
peace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But soon the fancy came, that she was listening at the door of the other world to catch news of her Leopold, and that made her forget herself and put her at peace.
phrases
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
Polwarth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was chiefly Polwarth, often Wingfold, and now and then Drew that spoke, Rachel contributing only an occasional word.
privilege
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But soon the fancy came, that she was listening at the door of the other world to catch news of her Leopold, and that made her forget herself and put her at peace.
Rachel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
rainbow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
realize
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
satisfied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
sentences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But soon the fancy came, that she was listening at the door of the other world to catch news of her Leopold, and that made her forget herself and put her at peace.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time, however, the conversation was absolutely unintelligible to her.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But soon the fancy came, that she was listening at the door of the other world to catch news of her Leopold, and that made her forget herself and put her at peace.
span
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was chiefly Polwarth, often Wingfold, and now and then Drew that spoke, Rachel contributing only an occasional word.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For some time, however, the conversation was absolutely unintelligible to her.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
uncomfortable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
unintelligible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time, however, the conversation was absolutely unintelligible to her.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
vanishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But soon the fancy came, that she was listening at the door of the other world to catch news of her Leopold, and that made her forget herself and put her at peace.
WHATpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading WHAT HELEN HEARD, Although satisfied that, after what Rachel had said to the men, there could be no impropriety in her making use of the privilege granted her, Helen felt oddly uncomfortable at first.
Wingfold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was chiefly Polwarth, often Wingfold, and now and then Drew that spoke, Rachel contributing only an occasional word.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was chiefly Polwarth, often Wingfold, and now and then Drew that spoke, Rachel contributing only an occasional word.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood the words and phrases, and even some of the sentences, but as she had no clue to their drift, the effort to understand was like attempting to realize the span of a rainbow from a foot or two of it appearing now and then in different parts and vanishing again at once.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But soon the fancy came, that she was listening at the door of the other world to catch news of her Leopold, and that made her forget herself and put her at peace.