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 It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was not until after Hermon’s arrival that the announcement of Lorraine’s death was sent to the papers.
all
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From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
allow
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From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
Alymer
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From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
announcement
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From this reading It was not until after Hermon’s arrival that the announcement of Lorraine’s death was sent to the papers.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
anxious
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From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
any
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From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
arrival
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From this reading It was not until after Hermon’s arrival that the announcement of Lorraine’s death was sent to the papers.
arrived
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From this reading Directly he arrived, the notice was dispatched.
balancenounUS /ˈbalance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
bravely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
cloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
consultation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not until after Hermon’s arrival that the announcement of Lorraine’s death was sent to the papers.
decided
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From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
deepest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
Denton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
DirectlynounUS /ˈdirectly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Directly he arrived, the notice was dispatched.
dispatched
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From this reading Directly he arrived, the notice was dispatched.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
Edwin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
expressly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
fret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
funeral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
Hal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
Hal's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Directly he arrived, the notice was dispatched.
Hermon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not until after Hermon’s arrival that the announcement of Lorraine’s death was sent to the papers.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
instrument
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
joy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
keeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
LifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
Lorraine's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not until after Hermon’s arrival that the announcement of Lorraine’s death was sent to the papers.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
notice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly he arrived, the notice was dispatched.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
pain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
papers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not until after Hermon’s arrival that the announcement of Lorraine’s death was sent to the papers.
perfidy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
preparations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
refrained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not until after Hermon’s arrival that the announcement of Lorraine’s death was sent to the papers.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
Sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
sorrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
source
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
spirit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
striving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
unlooked-for
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading It was not until after Hermon’s arrival that the announcement of Lorraine’s death was sent to the papers.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After an anxious consultation, Hal and Denton had decided she would have expressly wished nothing to be done which might bring the news to Alymer before his case was over, and so, while making all preparations for the funeral, they refrained from any announcement in the home papers.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would seem sometimes that Life has a way of keeping the balance between joy and pain, by making that which is a source of deepest sorrow to one the unlooked-for instrument of great joy to another.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading It was so with the sorrow that came down like a cloud upon Hal’s spirit, while she was yet striving bravely not to allow herself to fret over Sir Edwin’s perfidy.
