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 There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
advice
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From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
Alec
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From this reading "What is she like?" asked Alec, for he had confessed that he had talked to the lady.
all
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From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
ankle
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From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "What is she like?" asked Alec, for he had confessed that he had talked to the lady.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading This was told in the meagre, prosaic way that left no hint of there being more to tell.
brother
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From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
catch
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From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
climbed
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From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
confessed
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From this reading "What is she like?" asked Alec, for he had confessed that he had talked to the lady.
conquered
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From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
contrary
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From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
day
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From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
days
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From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
destined
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From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
difficulties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
ditch
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From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
explained
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From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
extent
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From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
fairly
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From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
hint
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From this reading This was told in the meagre, prosaic way that left no hint of there being more to tell.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
lane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was told in the meagre, prosaic way that left no hint of there being more to tell.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What is she like?" asked Alec, for he had confessed that he had talked to the lady.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
many
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From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
meagre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was told in the meagre, prosaic way that left no hint of there being more to tell.
missed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was told in the meagre, prosaic way that left no hint of there being more to tell.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading This was told in the meagre, prosaic way that left no hint of there being more to tell.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
prosaic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was told in the meagre, prosaic way that left no hint of there being more to tell.
refuse
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From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
roadside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
Robert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
run
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "What is she like?" asked Alec, for he had confessed that he had talked to the lady.
slipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
sprain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
sprained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
subdued
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
submitverbUS /səbˈmɪt/
to accept another person's control or a difficult situation
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
talked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What is she like?" asked Alec, for he had confessed that he had talked to the lady.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was told in the meagre, prosaic way that left no hint of there being more to tell.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was told in the meagre, prosaic way that left no hint of there being more to tell.
Trenholme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
twisted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Robert Trenholme, having climbed a hill after he had twisted his foot, and having, contrary to all advice, used it to some extent the next day, was now fairly conquered by the sprain and destined to be held by this foot for many long days.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was told in the meagre, prosaic way that left no hint of there being more to tell.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What is she like?" asked Alec, for he had confessed that he had talked to the lady.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He explained to his brother who the lady was whom he had taken up the hill, why he himself had first happened to be with her, and that he had slipped with one foot in a roadside ditch, and, thinking to catch her up, had run across a field and so missed the lane in the darkness.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are many difficulties in this world which, if we refuse to submit to them, will in turn be subdued by us, but a sprained ankle is not one of them.