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 Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
absorbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Haldin mechanically, with an absorbed look, handed me my hat.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Miss Haldin mechanically, with an absorbed look, handed me my hat.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It could not have been that he despaired of his country’s future.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
compelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
confidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It could not have been that he despaired of his country’s future.
country's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It could not have been that he despaired of his country’s future.
crushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
despaired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It could not have been that he despaired of his country’s future.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
distracted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
future
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It could not have been that he despaired of his country’s future.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
Haldin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Haldin mechanically, with an absorbed look, handed me my hat.
handed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Haldin mechanically, with an absorbed look, handed me my hat.
hat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Haldin mechanically, with an absorbed look, handed me my hat.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It could not have been that he despaired of his country’s future.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was impossible.
intolerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It could not have been that he despaired of his country’s future.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Miss Haldin mechanically, with an absorbed look, handed me my hat.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Miss Haldin mechanically, with an absorbed look, handed me my hat.
mechanically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Haldin mechanically, with an absorbed look, handed me my hat.
merit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Haldin mechanically, with an absorbed look, handed me my hat.
mistrust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Miss Haldin mechanically, with an absorbed look, handed me my hat.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It could not have been that he despaired of his country’s future.
perished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
possessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
savednounUS /saved/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
simple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
sister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
sombre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
spirit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Was it possible that his mother and sister had not known how to merit his confidence; and that, after having done what he was compelled to do, his spirit became crushed by an intolerable doubt, his mind distracted by a sudden mistrust.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Miss Haldin mechanically, with an absorbed look, handed me my hat.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understood from her that the poor woman was possessed by the sombre and simple idea that her son must have perished because he did not want to be saved.
