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 But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
any
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From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Are you busy, sir? can I talk to you?"
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
bettered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
busy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Are you busy, sir? can I talk to you?"
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
came
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From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Are you busy, sir? can I talk to you?"
chance
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From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
David
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From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
Delightful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Talk?" said Mr. Wharncliffe; "then we want some time for it, do we?"
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
glad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
grateful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
health
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Are you busy, sir? can I talk to you?"
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
intent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
learning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
luminous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
machine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
Matilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
minute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
mother's
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From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
motions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
progress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Talk?" said Mr. Wharncliffe; "then we want some time for it, do we?"
Sarah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
Sarah's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
sewing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Are you busy, sir? can I talk to you?"
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Talk?" said Mr. Wharncliffe; "then we want some time for it, do we?"
spare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
sprang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
Sunday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
telling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Talk?" said Mr. Wharncliffe; "then we want some time for it, do we?"
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Talk?" said Mr. Wharncliffe; "then we want some time for it, do we?"
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Talk?" said Mr. Wharncliffe; "then we want some time for it, do we?"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Talk?" said Mr. Wharncliffe; "then we want some time for it, do we?"
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
Wharncliffe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Are you busy, sir? can I talk to you?"
