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 During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
beautiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
comrade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he immediately spoke to John's comrade, and promised him all the money he might receive at the next evening's performance, if he would only rub the ointment on four or five of his dolls.
continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
courtiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
crown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
deeply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
dolls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
evening's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he immediately spoke to John's comrade, and promised him all the money he might receive at the next evening's performance, if he would only rub the ointment on four or five of his dolls.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he immediately spoke to John's comrade, and promised him all the money he might receive at the next evening's performance, if he would only rub the ointment on four or five of his dolls.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he immediately spoke to John's comrade, and promised him all the money he might receive at the next evening's performance, if he would only rub the ointment on four or five of his dolls.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The poor man who owned the theatre could scarcely refrain from weeping; he was so sorry that he could not help them.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The poor man who owned the theatre could scarcely refrain from weeping; he was so sorry that he could not help them.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then he immediately spoke to John's comrade, and promised him all the money he might receive at the next evening's performance, if he would only rub the ointment on four or five of his dolls.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
holding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Then he immediately spoke to John's comrade, and promised him all the money he might receive at the next evening's performance, if he would only rub the ointment on four or five of his dolls.
immediately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he immediately spoke to John's comrade, and promised him all the money he might receive at the next evening's performance, if he would only rub the ointment on four or five of his dolls.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
inn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
John's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he immediately spoke to John's comrade, and promised him all the money he might receive at the next evening's performance, if he would only rub the ointment on four or five of his dolls.
knees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poor man who owned the theatre could scarcely refrain from weeping; he was so sorry that he could not help them.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
money
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he immediately spoke to John's comrade, and promised him all the money he might receive at the next evening's performance, if he would only rub the ointment on four or five of his dolls.
move
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then he immediately spoke to John's comrade, and promised him all the money he might receive at the next evening's performance, if he would only rub the ointment on four or five of his dolls.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The poor man who owned the theatre could scarcely refrain from weeping; he was so sorry that he could not help them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
ointment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he immediately spoke to John's comrade, and promised him all the money he might receive at the next evening's performance, if he would only rub the ointment on four or five of his dolls.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Then he immediately spoke to John's comrade, and promised him all the money he might receive at the next evening's performance, if he would only rub the ointment on four or five of his dolls.
owned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poor man who owned the theatre could scarcely refrain from weeping; he was so sorry that he could not help them.
painfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
performance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he immediately spoke to John's comrade, and promised him all the money he might receive at the next evening's performance, if he would only rub the ointment on four or five of his dolls.
piteously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The poor man who owned the theatre could scarcely refrain from weeping; he was so sorry that he could not help them.
proceeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
promised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he immediately spoke to John's comrade, and promised him all the money he might receive at the next evening's performance, if he would only rub the ointment on four or five of his dolls.
queen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
receive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he immediately spoke to John's comrade, and promised him all the money he might receive at the next evening's performance, if he would only rub the ointment on four or five of his dolls.
refrain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poor man who owned the theatre could scarcely refrain from weeping; he was so sorry that he could not help them.
rub
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
rubbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poor man who owned the theatre could scarcely refrain from weeping; he was so sorry that he could not help them.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
showman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
sigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
sighing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
sorry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poor man who owned the theatre could scarcely refrain from weeping; he was so sorry that he could not help them.
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he immediately spoke to John's comrade, and promised him all the money he might receive at the next evening's performance, if he would only rub the ointment on four or five of his dolls.
staring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
TakenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
theatre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The poor man who owned the theatre could scarcely refrain from weeping; he was so sorry that he could not help them.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he immediately spoke to John's comrade, and promised him all the money he might receive at the next evening's performance, if he would only rub the ointment on four or five of his dolls.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
threw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The queen threw herself on her knees, took off her beautiful crown, and, holding it in her hand, cried, "Take this from me, but do rub my husband and his courtiers."
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
weeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poor man who owned the theatre could scarcely refrain from weeping; he was so sorry that he could not help them.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading During the night, when all the people at the inn were gone to bed, some one was heard to sigh so deeply and painfully, and the sighing continued for so long a time, that every one got up to see what could be the matter.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The showman went at once to his little theatre and found that it proceeded from the dolls, who all lay on the floor sighing piteously, and staring with their glass eyes; they all wanted to be rubbed with the ointment, so that, like the queen, they might be able to move of themselves.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Then he immediately spoke to John's comrade, and promised him all the money he might receive at the next evening's performance, if he would only rub the ointment on four or five of his dolls.
