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 Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
abroad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
ago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
ankle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
annual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
Archie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
Archie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
atmosphere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
birthday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
Blessington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
chest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
coat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
commonest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
connected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
conscious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
contents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
divulge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
drove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
event
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
excuse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
happenings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
hip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
knee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
knelt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
Marjorie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
measure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
motor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
mystery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
neighbouring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
notes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
November
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
nursery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
odd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
parcel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
passagenounUS /ˈpassage/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
politely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
proceeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
produced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
shopping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
stranger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
tape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
total
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
tremendous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
vaguely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
waist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger had then knelt down on the floor in front of him, and had produced a tape, with which he proceeded to measure Archie all over, from his hip to his knee and his knee to his ankle, and round his waist, and round his chest, and all along his arms, making notes of those things in a book.
walking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Archie's birthday was in November, and for a day or two before that tremendous annual event there was always a certain atmosphere of mystery abroad, which he was conscious of at odd minutes.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon, too, his mother drove into the neighbouring town in the motor, and would not take him with her, on the excuse that she had some shopping to do, though it was the commonest thing in the world for her to take him with her when she went shopping.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He met Marjorie on the morning of the day before he would be six, walking down the nursery passage with a parcel in her hand, the contents of which she would not divulge.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year he vaguely connected these odd happenings with his birthday, as he did also the fact that a week ago Blessington had brought a total stranger into the nursery, who had very politely asked him to take off his coat.
