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 _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
American's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Here, before the crackling open fire, sat Royal, Jack, and Sue.
appeared
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From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
assure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
beckoned
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From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Here, before the crackling open fire, sat Royal, Jack, and Sue.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
brave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
brown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
carrying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
chestnuts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
cocked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
crackling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here, before the crackling open fire, sat Royal, Jack, and Sue.
doorway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
embers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
emptied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
enjoying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
fight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here, before the crackling open fire, sat Royal, Jack, and Sue.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
gather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
girls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
group
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
half-open
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
hat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
heap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
hearth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here, before the crackling open fire, sat Royal, Jack, and Sue.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
hot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
Jack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here, before the crackling open fire, sat Royal, Jack, and Sue.
Judge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
Kate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
laugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
Marianne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
nuts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Here, before the crackling open fire, sat Royal, Jack, and Sue.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
paused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
Peck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
pockets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
porch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
remembered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
Rensselaer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
riding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
roasting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
Royal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here, before the crackling open fire, sat Royal, Jack, and Sue.
saying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
shining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
Sue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here, before the crackling open fire, sat Royal, Jack, and Sue.
suppressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
Surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
sword
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
thoroughly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
troops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
Van
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
