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 I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment they remained where they were, but almost instantly the rain became heavier.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
aunt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thereupon, Dimitri began to present me to his mother, sister, and aunt, as well as to Lubov Sergievna.
avenue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
avidity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment they remained where they were, but almost instantly the rain became heavier.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Thereupon, Dimitri began to present me to his mother, sister, and aunt, as well as to Lubov Sergievna.
begin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
birch-trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
branches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
carriage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
confronted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
curly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
descendednounUS /ˈdescended/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
Dimitri
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thereupon, Dimitri began to present me to his mother, sister, and aunt, as well as to Lubov Sergievna.
dog
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
drooping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
drop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
drops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
entrance-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
fall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment they remained where they were, but almost instantly the rain became heavier.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
fourthnounUS /fourth/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
heavier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment they remained where they were, but almost instantly the rain became heavier.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Thereupon, Dimitri began to present me to his mother, sister, and aunt, as well as to Lubov Sergievna.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
imbibe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
instantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment they remained where they were, but almost instantly the rain became heavier.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
knitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
ladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
leaves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
Lubov
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thereupon, Dimitri began to present me to his mother, sister, and aunt, as well as to Lubov Sergievna.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Thereupon, Dimitri began to present me to his mother, sister, and aunt, as well as to Lubov Sergievna.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment they remained where they were, but almost instantly the rain became heavier.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thereupon, Dimitri began to present me to his mother, sister, and aunt, as well as to Lubov Sergievna.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
nose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
overhead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
overtook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
patter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thereupon, Dimitri began to present me to his mother, sister, and aunt, as well as to Lubov Sergievna.
pure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
quicker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
raining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading For a moment they remained where they were, but almost instantly the rain became heavier.
scentnounUS /sɛnt/
A distinctive smell or aroma.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
Sergievna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thereupon, Dimitri began to present me to his mother, sister, and aunt, as well as to Lubov Sergievna.
shining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
sister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thereupon, Dimitri began to present me to his mother, sister, and aunt, as well as to Lubov Sergievna.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
Thereupon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thereupon, Dimitri began to present me to his mother, sister, and aunt, as well as to Lubov Sergievna.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
turning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
viscous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
walking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thereupon, Dimitri began to present me to his mother, sister, and aunt, as well as to Lubov Sergievna.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
wet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading For a moment they remained where they were, but almost instantly the rain became heavier.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The rain overtook us just as we were turning into the avenue of birch-trees which led to the house, but it did not really wet us.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We descended from the carriage, so as to reach the house the quicker through the garden, but found ourselves confronted at the entrance-door by four ladies, two of whom were knitting, one reading a book, and the fourth walking to and fro with a little dog.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew that it was raining by the fact that I felt a drop fall, first on my nose, and then on my hand, and heard something begin to patter upon the young, viscous leaves of the birch-trees as, drooping their curly branches overhead, they seemed to imbibe the pure, shining drops with an avidity which filled the whole avenue with scent.
