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 MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
amusement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
ardour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
baize-lined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
bedroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young George, looking out of his bedroom window, found life very good.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
Christmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
clouds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
contained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
culmination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
father's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Young George, looking out of his bedroom window, found life very good.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
George
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young George, looking out of his bedroom window, found life very good.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Young George, looking out of his bedroom window, found life very good.
gun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
gun-maker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Young George, looking out of his bedroom window, found life very good.
holidays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
horse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
hunting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
illusive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
immediate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
initials
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
leather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Young George, looking out of his bedroom window, found life very good.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young George, looking out of his bedroom window, found life very good.
lover-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
lucky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
MEET
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was to shoot too, with the men.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
ordered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young George, looking out of his bedroom window, found life very good.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
present-giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
Previous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
promise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
shoot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was to shoot too, with the men.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
snugly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
soft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
stamped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
staple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
threat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His first gun had been ordered from his father's gun-maker, and Barbara had told him that it had already come, and was lying snugly in its baize-lined case of new leather, with his initials stamped upon it, ready for the family present-giving on Christmas morning.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was to shoot too, with the men.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young George, looking out of his bedroom window, found life very good.
visits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Previous Christmas holidays had held as their culmination visits to country houses in which he might, if he were lucky, get two or three days' hunting; but hunting was to be the staple amusement of these holidays, with a young horse all his own upon which his thoughts were set with an ardour almost lover-like.
WILBOROUGH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young George, looking out of his bedroom window, found life very good.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A MEET AT WILBOROUGH It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and a fine hunting morning, with clouds that showed no immediate threat of rain, and a soft air that contained an illusive promise of spring.
Young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young George, looking out of his bedroom window, found life very good.
