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 week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
accompanied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
afterwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
ambiguous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
benediction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
Bonnybell's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The result was obvious: freedom--temporary, indeed! but still freedom for Miss Ransome.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
Camilla's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
Edward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
elapsed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
employing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But of what use was that noblest of God’s gifts to one who had no means of employing it?
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
freedom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The result was obvious: freedom--temporary, indeed! but still freedom for Miss Ransome.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
getting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Try not to get into mischief?” or “Try not to help getting into mischief?
gifts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But of what use was that noblest of God’s gifts to one who had no means of employing it?
God's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But of what use was that noblest of God’s gifts to one who had no means of employing it?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
humility
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The result was obvious: freedom--temporary, indeed! but still freedom for Miss Ransome.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But of what use was that noblest of God’s gifts to one who had no means of employing it?
leisure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
libertynounUS /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
meaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But of what use was that noblest of God’s gifts to one who had no means of employing it?
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
mischief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The result was obvious: freedom--temporary, indeed! but still freedom for Miss Ransome.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading But of what use was that noblest of God’s gifts to one who had no means of employing it?
noblest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But of what use was that noblest of God’s gifts to one who had no means of employing it?
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
obvious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The result was obvious: freedom--temporary, indeed! but still freedom for Miss Ransome.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But of what use was that noblest of God’s gifts to one who had no means of employing it?
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Try not to get into mischief?” or “Try not to help getting into mischief?
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
parting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
Ransome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The result was obvious: freedom--temporary, indeed! but still freedom for Miss Ransome.
result
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The result was obvious: freedom--temporary, indeed! but still freedom for Miss Ransome.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
smiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The result was obvious: freedom--temporary, indeed! but still freedom for Miss Ransome.
temporary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The result was obvious: freedom--temporary, indeed! but still freedom for Miss Ransome.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But of what use was that noblest of God’s gifts to one who had no means of employing it?
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The result was obvious: freedom--temporary, indeed! but still freedom for Miss Ransome.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But of what use was that noblest of God’s gifts to one who had no means of employing it?
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
try
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But of what use was that noblest of God’s gifts to one who had no means of employing it?
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The result was obvious: freedom--temporary, indeed! but still freedom for Miss Ransome.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But of what use was that noblest of God’s gifts to one who had no means of employing it?
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading But of what use was that noblest of God’s gifts to one who had no means of employing it?
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A week had elapsed, and a morning came on which Edward set off for London accompanied by his wife, instead of, as usual, alone!
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Don’t get into mischief if you can help it,” was Camilla’s parting benediction; and the smiling humility of Bonnybell’s “I will try not,” took an ambiguous meaning as she turned it over afterwards in the leisure and liberty of her own mind.
