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 A SONG WITHOUT WORDS Whilst the repairs were going on in the house behind the school, the old caretaker still lived there.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
admitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As soon as painters, plasterers, and paperhangers were out of the way, Grail and Thyrza went to the house to decide what furniture it would be necessary to buy.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading A SONG WITHOUT WORDS Whilst the repairs were going on in the house behind the school, the old caretaker still lived there.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The outlay was to be as little as possible, for indeed there was but little money to spend.
Butterfield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
buy
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From this reading As soon as painters, plasterers, and paperhangers were out of the way, Grail and Thyrza went to the house to decide what furniture it would be necessary to buy.
caretaker
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From this reading A SONG WITHOUT WORDS Whilst the repairs were going on in the house behind the school, the old caretaker still lived there.
decide
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From this reading As soon as painters, plasterers, and paperhangers were out of the way, Grail and Thyrza went to the house to decide what furniture it would be necessary to buy.
desirable
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From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
disagreeable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
Egremont
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From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
else
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From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
engaged
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From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The outlay was to be as little as possible, for indeed there was but little money to spend.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
furniture
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From this reading As soon as painters, plasterers, and paperhangers were out of the way, Grail and Thyrza went to the house to decide what furniture it would be necessary to buy.
Gilbert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SONG WITHOUT WORDS Whilst the repairs were going on in the house behind the school, the old caretaker still lived there.
Grail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as painters, plasterers, and paperhangers were out of the way, Grail and Thyrza went to the house to decide what furniture it would be necessary to buy.
Grails
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From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SONG WITHOUT WORDS Whilst the repairs were going on in the house behind the school, the old caretaker still lived there.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A SONG WITHOUT WORDS Whilst the repairs were going on in the house behind the school, the old caretaker still lived there.
inarticulately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The outlay was to be as little as possible, for indeed there was but little money to spend.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
kindly-meant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
kitchen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The outlay was to be as little as possible, for indeed there was but little money to spend.
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SONG WITHOUT WORDS Whilst the repairs were going on in the house behind the school, the old caretaker still lived there.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
money
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The outlay was to be as little as possible, for indeed there was but little money to spend.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
mutteredverbUS /ˈmʌtərd/
spoke in a low voice that was difficult to hear
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as painters, plasterers, and paperhangers were out of the way, Grail and Thyrza went to the house to decide what furniture it would be necessary to buy.
nowhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
odour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As soon as painters, plasterers, and paperhangers were out of the way, Grail and Thyrza went to the house to decide what furniture it would be necessary to buy.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SONG WITHOUT WORDS Whilst the repairs were going on in the house behind the school, the old caretaker still lived there.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A SONG WITHOUT WORDS Whilst the repairs were going on in the house behind the school, the old caretaker still lived there.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as painters, plasterers, and paperhangers were out of the way, Grail and Thyrza went to the house to decide what furniture it would be necessary to buy.
outlay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The outlay was to be as little as possible, for indeed there was but little money to spend.
paint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
painters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as painters, plasterers, and paperhangers were out of the way, Grail and Thyrza went to the house to decide what furniture it would be necessary to buy.
paperhangers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as painters, plasterers, and paperhangers were out of the way, Grail and Thyrza went to the house to decide what furniture it would be necessary to buy.
plasterers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as painters, plasterers, and paperhangers were out of the way, Grail and Thyrza went to the house to decide what furniture it would be necessary to buy.
possession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The outlay was to be as little as possible, for indeed there was but little money to spend.
premises
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
remain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
remark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
repairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SONG WITHOUT WORDS Whilst the repairs were going on in the house behind the school, the old caretaker still lived there.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SONG WITHOUT WORDS Whilst the repairs were going on in the house behind the school, the old caretaker still lived there.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
someonepronounUS /ˈsʌmwʌn/
a person, without saying who
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
SONG
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From this reading A SONG WITHOUT WORDS Whilst the repairs were going on in the house behind the school, the old caretaker still lived there.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as painters, plasterers, and paperhangers were out of the way, Grail and Thyrza went to the house to decide what furniture it would be necessary to buy.
speaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
spend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The outlay was to be as little as possible, for indeed there was but little money to spend.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A SONG WITHOUT WORDS Whilst the repairs were going on in the house behind the school, the old caretaker still lived there.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SONG WITHOUT WORDS Whilst the repairs were going on in the house behind the school, the old caretaker still lived there.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SONG WITHOUT WORDS Whilst the repairs were going on in the house behind the school, the old caretaker still lived there.
Thyrza
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as painters, plasterers, and paperhangers were out of the way, Grail and Thyrza went to the house to decide what furniture it would be necessary to buy.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Egremont found that she had in truth nowhere else to go, and as it was desirable that someone should remain upon the premises, he engaged her to do so until the Grails entered into possession.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as painters, plasterers, and paperhangers were out of the way, Grail and Thyrza went to the house to decide what furniture it would be necessary to buy.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As soon as painters, plasterers, and paperhangers were out of the way, Grail and Thyrza went to the house to decide what furniture it would be necessary to buy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A SONG WITHOUT WORDS Whilst the repairs were going on in the house behind the school, the old caretaker still lived there.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading As soon as painters, plasterers, and paperhangers were out of the way, Grail and Thyrza went to the house to decide what furniture it would be necessary to buy.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
WhilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading A SONG WITHOUT WORDS Whilst the repairs were going on in the house behind the school, the old caretaker still lived there.
withdrew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
WITHOUTprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading A SONG WITHOUT WORDS Whilst the repairs were going on in the house behind the school, the old caretaker still lived there.
woman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Butterfield--that was the old woman's name--admitted them, but without speaking; when Gilbert made some kindly-meant remark about its being disagreeable for her to live in such a strong odour of paint, she muttered inarticulately and withdrew into the kitchen.
WORDS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SONG WITHOUT WORDS Whilst the repairs were going on in the house behind the school, the old caretaker still lived there.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading As soon as painters, plasterers, and paperhangers were out of the way, Grail and Thyrza went to the house to decide what furniture it would be necessary to buy.
