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 The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
absentee
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From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
anxiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading For a girl who has been a belle, it is harder to live through these bad times than it is for one who has never known anything better.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
bad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a girl who has been a belle, it is harder to live through these bad times than it is for one who has never known anything better.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
belle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a girl who has been a belle, it is harder to live through these bad times than it is for one who has never known anything better.
betrayalnounUS /bɪˈtreɪ.əl/
The action of betraying one's country, a group, or a person; breach of trust.
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a girl who has been a belle, it is harder to live through these bad times than it is for one who has never known anything better.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
brightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
counted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
dance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
dances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
defect
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From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
device
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
doorways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
Dowling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
easier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
effective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
Ella
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
employed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
fifteen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
figure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a girl who has been a belle, it is harder to live through these bad times than it is for one who has never known anything better.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
glassy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
guarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
harder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a girl who has been a belle, it is harder to live through these bad times than it is for one who has never known anything better.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
hot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
imperturbability
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
interval
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a girl who has been a belle, it is harder to live through these bad times than it is for one who has never known anything better.
Like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a girl who has been a belle, it is harder to live through these bad times than it is for one who has never known anything better.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
lounged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For a girl who has been a belle, it is harder to live through these bad times than it is for one who has never known anything better.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
painted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
partner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
partnerless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
performance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
prove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
repeatednounUS /repeated/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
repetition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
resentment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading For a girl who has been a belle, it is harder to live through these bad times than it is for one who has never known anything better.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading For a girl who has been a belle, it is harder to live through these bad times than it is for one who has never known anything better.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a girl who has been a belle, it is harder to live through these bad times than it is for one who has never known anything better.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
twice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
varnished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
weak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The device of the absentee partner has the defect that it cannot be employed for longer than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and it may not be repeated more than twice in one evening: a single repetition, indeed, is weak, and may prove a betrayal.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Every one of them ought to have asked her for dances, she thought, and although she might have been put to it to give a reason why any of them “ought,” her heart was hot with resentment against them.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
wooden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice knew that her present performance could be effective during only this interval between dances; and though her eyes were guarded, she anxiously counted over the partnerless young men who lounged together in the doorways within her view.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Like a figure of painted and brightly varnished wood, Ella Dowling sat against the wall through dance after dance with glassy imperturbability; it was easier to be wooden, Alice thought, if you had your mother with you, as Ella had.
