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 is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
alive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Death, and the pangs of separation from those we love, are permanent, at least for their time; but in everything else there is an ebb and flow which keeps the heart alive.
all
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From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
alleviations
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From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
almost
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From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Death, and the pangs of separation from those we love, are permanent, at least for their time; but in everything else there is an ebb and flow which keeps the heart alive.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Death, and the pangs of separation from those we love, are permanent, at least for their time; but in everything else there is an ebb and flow which keeps the heart alive.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
case
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From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
conditions
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From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
continuous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
Death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Death, and the pangs of separation from those we love, are permanent, at least for their time; but in everything else there is an ebb and flow which keeps the heart alive.
ease
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
ebbnounUS /ɛb/
the movement of the tide away from the land
From this reading Death, and the pangs of separation from those we love, are permanent, at least for their time; but in everything else there is an ebb and flow which keeps the heart alive.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Death, and the pangs of separation from those we love, are permanent, at least for their time; but in everything else there is an ebb and flow which keeps the heart alive.
emotion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
encounter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Death, and the pangs of separation from those we love, are permanent, at least for their time; but in everything else there is an ebb and flow which keeps the heart alive.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as a matter of fact, this was not the case.
flow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Death, and the pangs of separation from those we love, are permanent, at least for their time; but in everything else there is an ebb and flow which keeps the heart alive.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
Frances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Death, and the pangs of separation from those we love, are permanent, at least for their time; but in everything else there is an ebb and flow which keeps the heart alive.
grief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
happiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Death, and the pangs of separation from those we love, are permanent, at least for their time; but in everything else there is an ebb and flow which keeps the heart alive.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
impression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
keeps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Death, and the pangs of separation from those we love, are permanent, at least for their time; but in everything else there is an ebb and flow which keeps the heart alive.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Death, and the pangs of separation from those we love, are permanent, at least for their time; but in everything else there is an ebb and flow which keeps the heart alive.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
lightenings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
lives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Death, and the pangs of separation from those we love, are permanent, at least for their time; but in everything else there is an ebb and flow which keeps the heart alive.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as a matter of fact, this was not the case.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
mistake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
momentary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
mystery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But as a matter of fact, this was not the case.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
oppressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
over-shadowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
pangs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Death, and the pangs of separation from those we love, are permanent, at least for their time; but in everything else there is an ebb and flow which keeps the heart alive.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
period
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
permanent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
perpetual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
prematurely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
represented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
separation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Death, and the pangs of separation from those we love, are permanent, at least for their time; but in everything else there is an ebb and flow which keeps the heart alive.
shadows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
states
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
sway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Death, and the pangs of separation from those we love, are permanent, at least for their time; but in everything else there is an ebb and flow which keeps the heart alive.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Death, and the pangs of separation from those we love, are permanent, at least for their time; but in everything else there is an ebb and flow which keeps the heart alive.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Death, and the pangs of separation from those we love, are permanent, at least for their time; but in everything else there is an ebb and flow which keeps the heart alive.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Death, and the pangs of separation from those we love, are permanent, at least for their time; but in everything else there is an ebb and flow which keeps the heart alive.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
tracts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
unconsciously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
unhappiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
unsuspected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
vicissitudes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
Waring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But as a matter of fact, this was not the case.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It is a common impression that happiness and unhappiness are permanent states of mind, and that for long tracts of our lives we are under the continuous sway of one or other of these conditions.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But this is almost always a mistake, save in the case of grief, which is perhaps the only emotion which is beyond the reach of the momentary lightenings and alleviations and perpetual vicissitudes of life.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Frances Waring told the story of this period of her life, she represented herself unconsciously as having been oppressed by the mystery that over-shadowed her, and as having lost all the ease of her young life prematurely in a sudden encounter with shadows unsuspected before.
