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 For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
awoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she awoke, and wanted to see her child, the husband, with tears, said, "We have closed the coffin; it was necessary to do so."
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "When God is so hard to me, how can I expect men to be better?" she said with groans and tears.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When God is so hard to me, how can I expect men to be better?" she said with groans and tears.
blows
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From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The day of the little child's funeral came.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "When God is so hard to me, how can I expect men to be better?" she said with groans and tears.
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she awoke, and wanted to see her child, the husband, with tears, said, "We have closed the coffin; it was necessary to do so."
child's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The day of the little child's funeral came.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she awoke, and wanted to see her child, the husband, with tears, said, "We have closed the coffin; it was necessary to do so."
coffin
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From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
daughters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coffin was carried to the grave, and the disconsolate mother sat with her young daughters.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The day of the little child's funeral came.
deep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
disconsolate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coffin was carried to the grave, and the disconsolate mother sat with her young daughters.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading When she awoke, and wanted to see her child, the husband, with tears, said, "We have closed the coffin; it was necessary to do so."
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/
to think that something will happen
From this reading "When God is so hard to me, how can I expect men to be better?" she said with groans and tears.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
funeral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The day of the little child's funeral came.
God
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When God is so hard to me, how can I expect men to be better?" she said with groans and tears.
grave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coffin was carried to the grave, and the disconsolate mother sat with her young daughters.
groans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When God is so hard to me, how can I expect men to be better?" she said with groans and tears.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
hammer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When God is so hard to me, how can I expect men to be better?" she said with groans and tears.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading When she awoke, and wanted to see her child, the husband, with tears, said, "We have closed the coffin; it was necessary to do so."
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When she awoke, and wanted to see her child, the husband, with tears, said, "We have closed the coffin; it was necessary to do so."
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When God is so hard to me, how can I expect men to be better?" she said with groans and tears.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she awoke, and wanted to see her child, the husband, with tears, said, "We have closed the coffin; it was necessary to do so."
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "When God is so hard to me, how can I expect men to be better?" she said with groans and tears.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "When God is so hard to me, how can I expect men to be better?" she said with groans and tears.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When she awoke, and wanted to see her child, the husband, with tears, said, "We have closed the coffin; it was necessary to do so."
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The day of the little child's funeral came.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "When God is so hard to me, how can I expect men to be better?" she said with groans and tears.
mean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When God is so hard to me, how can I expect men to be better?" she said with groans and tears.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
nailed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she awoke, and wanted to see her child, the husband, with tears, said, "We have closed the coffin; it was necessary to do so."
nightsnounUS /naɪts/
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The day of the little child's funeral came.
previously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she awoke, and wanted to see her child, the husband, with tears, said, "We have closed the coffin; it was necessary to do so."
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coffin was carried to the grave, and the disconsolate mother sat with her young daughters.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she awoke, and wanted to see her child, the husband, with tears, said, "We have closed the coffin; it was necessary to do so."
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
sleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
slept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading When she awoke, and wanted to see her child, the husband, with tears, said, "We have closed the coffin; it was necessary to do so."
sunk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
tears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she awoke, and wanted to see her child, the husband, with tears, said, "We have closed the coffin; it was necessary to do so."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The day of the little child's funeral came.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When she awoke, and wanted to see her child, the husband, with tears, said, "We have closed the coffin; it was necessary to do so."
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the dim light before night or sunrise
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she awoke, and wanted to see her child, the husband, with tears, said, "We have closed the coffin; it was necessary to do so."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading When she awoke, and wanted to see her child, the husband, with tears, said, "We have closed the coffin; it was necessary to do so."
weariness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nights previously the mother had not slept, but in the morning twilight of this day she sunk from weariness into a deep sleep; in the mean time the coffin was carried into a distant room, and there nailed down, that she might not hear the blows of the hammer.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When she awoke, and wanted to see her child, the husband, with tears, said, "We have closed the coffin; it was necessary to do so."
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading When she awoke, and wanted to see her child, the husband, with tears, said, "We have closed the coffin; it was necessary to do so."
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coffin was carried to the grave, and the disconsolate mother sat with her young daughters.
