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 How shall a man describe what passed in the mind of a childless wife, with a motherless boy in her arms!
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
another's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some women love so without having any.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How shall a man describe what passed in the mind of a childless wife, with a motherless boy in her arms!
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
bears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
boy
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From this reading How shall a man describe what passed in the mind of a childless wife, with a motherless boy in her arms!
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
childless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How shall a man describe what passed in the mind of a childless wife, with a motherless boy in her arms!
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is that they may learn to love thus, that women have children.
describe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How shall a man describe what passed in the mind of a childless wife, with a motherless boy in her arms!
divine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
doubtless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
FAMILY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEW FAMILY.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Some women love so without having any.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading How shall a man describe what passed in the mind of a childless wife, with a motherless boy in her arms!
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How shall a man describe what passed in the mind of a childless wife, with a motherless boy in her arms!
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading How shall a man describe what passed in the mind of a childless wife, with a motherless boy in her arms!
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
learn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is that they may learn to love thus, that women have children.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
loveliest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How shall a man describe what passed in the mind of a childless wife, with a motherless boy in her arms!
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It is that they may learn to love thus, that women have children.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How shall a man describe what passed in the mind of a childless wife, with a motherless boy in her arms!
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
mother-love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
motherless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How shall a man describe what passed in the mind of a childless wife, with a motherless boy in her arms!
namely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
NEW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEW FAMILY.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading How shall a man describe what passed in the mind of a childless wife, with a motherless boy in her arms!
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How shall a man describe what passed in the mind of a childless wife, with a motherless boy in her arms!
provision
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
regardless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading How shall a man describe what passed in the mind of a childless wife, with a motherless boy in her arms!
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Some women love so without having any.
Some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some women love so without having any.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NEW FAMILY.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is that they may learn to love thus, that women have children.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is that they may learn to love thus, that women have children.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading How shall a man describe what passed in the mind of a childless wife, with a motherless boy in her arms!
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How shall a man describe what passed in the mind of a childless wife, with a motherless boy in her arms!
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading How shall a man describe what passed in the mind of a childless wife, with a motherless boy in her arms!
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Some women love so without having any.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the loveliest provision, doubtless, that every child should have a mother of his own; but there is a mother-love--which I had almost called more divine--the love, namely, that a woman bears to a child because he is a child, regardless of whether he be her own or another’s.
women
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is that they may learn to love thus, that women have children.
