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 He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He drew a chair near me, in a row with my wife and myself, and said, "It is quite a number of years since we met, Mrs. March," and he looked across me at her.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
Bible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
black-bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
blind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading We tried to make talk, but we could not, and we were funereally quiet, when Hasketh came pottering and peering in, and shook hands with both of us.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We tried to make talk, but we could not, and we were funereally quiet, when Hasketh came pottering and peering in, and shook hands with both of us.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We tried to make talk, but we could not, and we were funereally quiet, when Hasketh came pottering and peering in, and shook hands with both of us.
cards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
centre-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew a chair near me, in a row with my wife and myself, and said, "It is quite a number of years since we met, Mrs. March," and he looked across me at her.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading We tried to make talk, but we could not, and we were funereally quiet, when Hasketh came pottering and peering in, and shook hands with both of us.
dim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He drew a chair near me, in a row with my wife and myself, and said, "It is quite a number of years since we met, Mrs. March," and he looked across me at her.
dropped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
employed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
expression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
funereally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We tried to make talk, but we could not, and we were funereally quiet, when Hasketh came pottering and peering in, and shook hands with both of us.
gain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
gilt-edged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading We tried to make talk, but we could not, and we were funereally quiet, when Hasketh came pottering and peering in, and shook hands with both of us.
Hasketh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
hat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He drew a chair near me, in a row with my wife and myself, and said, "It is quite a number of years since we met, Mrs. March," and he looked across me at her.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
hospitality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
involuntarily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He drew a chair near me, in a row with my wife and myself, and said, "It is quite a number of years since we met, Mrs. March," and he looked across me at her.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He drew a chair near me, in a row with my wife and myself, and said, "It is quite a number of years since we met, Mrs. March," and he looked across me at her.
maid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We tried to make talk, but we could not, and we were funereally quiet, when Hasketh came pottering and peering in, and shook hands with both of us.
marble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
March
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew a chair near me, in a row with my wife and myself, and said, "It is quite a number of years since we met, Mrs. March," and he looked across me at her.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew a chair near me, in a row with my wife and myself, and said, "It is quite a number of years since we met, Mrs. March," and he looked across me at her.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading He drew a chair near me, in a row with my wife and myself, and said, "It is quite a number of years since we met, Mrs. March," and he looked across me at her.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew a chair near me, in a row with my wife and myself, and said, "It is quite a number of years since we met, Mrs. March," and he looked across me at her.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We tried to make talk, but we could not, and we were funereally quiet, when Hasketh came pottering and peering in, and shook hands with both of us.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
number
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew a chair near me, in a row with my wife and myself, and said, "It is quite a number of years since we met, Mrs. March," and he looked across me at her.
obliged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We tried to make talk, but we could not, and we were funereally quiet, when Hasketh came pottering and peering in, and shook hands with both of us.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
an old-fashioned sitting room
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
peeringverbUS /ˈpɪrɪŋ/
looking closely or carefully
From this reading We tried to make talk, but we could not, and we were funereally quiet, when Hasketh came pottering and peering in, and shook hands with both of us.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
pottering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We tried to make talk, but we could not, and we were funereally quiet, when Hasketh came pottering and peering in, and shook hands with both of us.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We tried to make talk, but we could not, and we were funereally quiet, when Hasketh came pottering and peering in, and shook hands with both of us.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He drew a chair near me, in a row with my wife and myself, and said, "It is quite a number of years since we met, Mrs. March," and he looked across me at her.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
row
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew a chair near me, in a row with my wife and myself, and said, "It is quite a number of years since we met, Mrs. March," and he looked across me at her.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew a chair near me, in a row with my wife and myself, and said, "It is quite a number of years since we met, Mrs. March," and he looked across me at her.
sank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
shade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
shook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We tried to make talk, but we could not, and we were funereally quiet, when Hasketh came pottering and peering in, and shook hands with both of us.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading He drew a chair near me, in a row with my wife and myself, and said, "It is quite a number of years since we met, Mrs. March," and he looked across me at her.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We tried to make talk, but we could not, and we were funereally quiet, when Hasketh came pottering and peering in, and shook hands with both of us.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
threw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
throats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We tried to make talk, but we could not, and we were funereally quiet, when Hasketh came pottering and peering in, and shook hands with both of us.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We tried to make talk, but we could not, and we were funereally quiet, when Hasketh came pottering and peering in, and shook hands with both of us.
vague
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
voices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We tried to make talk, but we could not, and we were funereally quiet, when Hasketh came pottering and peering in, and shook hands with both of us.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading We tried to make talk, but we could not, and we were funereally quiet, when Hasketh came pottering and peering in, and shook hands with both of us.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My wife and I now involuntarily dropped our voices, or rather they sank into our throats, as we sat waiting in the dim parlor, after the maid took our cards to Mr. and Mrs. Hasketh.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He threw open half a blind at one of the windows, and employed himself in trying to put up the shade, to gain time, as I thought, before he should be obliged to tell us that his wife could not see us.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading We tried to make talk, but we could not, and we were funereally quiet, when Hasketh came pottering and peering in, and shook hands with both of us.
Won't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew a chair near me, in a row with my wife and myself, and said, "It is quite a number of years since we met, Mrs. March," and he looked across me at her.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Then he came to me, and asked, "Won't you let me take your hat?" as such people do, in expression of a vague hospitality; and I let him take it, and put it mouth down on the marble centre-table, beside the large, gilt-edged, black-bound family Bible.
