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 Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading April's days were lengthening out in showers and sunshine and cold east wind.
April's
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From this reading April's days were lengthening out in showers and sunshine and cold east wind.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
autumn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
bear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in reality life was growing more than he could bear.
blighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
Blue
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From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
bought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But in reality life was growing more than he could bear.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading April's days were lengthening out in showers and sunshine and cold east wind.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
commission
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But in reality life was growing more than he could bear.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading April's days were lengthening out in showers and sunshine and cold east wind.
east
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading April's days were lengthening out in showers and sunshine and cold east wind.
Easter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
excuse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
functions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
girls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
Grigsby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
growing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in reality life was growing more than he could bear.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
Heather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
Henrietta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
hopes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
huge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading April's days were lengthening out in showers and sunshine and cold east wind.
indifference
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
indomitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndəˈmɑtəbəl/
impossible to defeat or discourage
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
isolation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
Lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
lengthening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading April's days were lengthening out in showers and sunshine and cold east wind.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But in reality life was growing more than he could bear.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
Marseilles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
Mediterranean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
member
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
noticing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading April's days were lengthening out in showers and sunshine and cold east wind.
Parliament
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
Paul's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
Place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
reality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in reality life was growing more than he could bear.
retire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
seven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
showers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading April's days were lengthening out in showers and sunshine and cold east wind.
social
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
sold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
steam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
sunshine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading April's days were lengthening out in showers and sunshine and cold east wind.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But in reality life was growing more than he could bear.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
tons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
Verdayne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Easter and a huge party had come and gone at Verdayne Place, and the Lady Henrietta had had her hopes once more blighted by noticing Paul's indomitable indifference to all the pretty girls.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading April's days were lengthening out in showers and sunshine and cold east wind.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading April's days were lengthening out in showers and sunshine and cold east wind.
working
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was going to stand for Parliament in the autumn, when their very old member should retire, and he made that an excuse for his isolation; he was working too hard for social functions, he said.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
yacht
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Grigsby had sold the old _Blue Heather_ and bought a new steam yacht of seven hundred tons--large enough to take him round the world, he said--and he had had her put in commission for the Mediterranean, and she was waiting for him now at Marseilles.
