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 This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
affairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
Begin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
bough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
bright
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From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
burst
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From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
carnival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
continual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
dance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
delusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
eve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
fantasy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
figures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
flowery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
green
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
heads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
jest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
Lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
Lord
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
lowest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
Maypole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
measure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
Merry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
monstrous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
Mount
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
partners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
pealnounUS /piːl/
a loud ringing burst of sound
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
priest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
reverend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
ring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
riotous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
roses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
rout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
send
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
serious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
Sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
spoken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
stave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
sunset
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
symbol
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
thrown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
titles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
trick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
truly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
twined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
union
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
uproar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
wedlock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Lord and Lady of the May, though their titles must be laid down at sunset, were really and truly to be partners for the dance of life, beginning the measure that same bright eve.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When the priest had spoken, therefore, a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading This wedlock was more serious than most affairs of Merry Mount, where jest and delusion, trick and fantasy, kept up a continual carnival.
woods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
wreath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreath of roses, that hung from the lowest green bough of the Maypole, had been twined for them, and would be thrown over both their heads, in symbol of their flowery union.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Begin you the stave, reverend Sir," cried they all; "and never did the woods ring to such a merry peal as we of the Maypole shall send up!"
