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 “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
Adam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But what do you mean by a ‘perfect lady’?” asked Count Adam Laginski.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “And that they call progress!” exclaimed Mademoiselle des Touches.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “But what do you mean by a ‘perfect lady’?” asked Count Adam Laginski.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “But what do you mean by a ‘perfect lady’?” asked Count Adam Laginski.
call
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And that they call progress!” exclaimed Mademoiselle des Touches.
Count
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But what do you mean by a ‘perfect lady’?” asked Count Adam Laginski.
courtesan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
creaturenounUS /ˈcreature/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
de
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Why, in this,” said Madame de Nucingen.
des
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And that they call progress!” exclaimed Mademoiselle des Touches.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “But what do you mean by a ‘perfect lady’?” asked Count Adam Laginski.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
exclaimed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And that they call progress!” exclaimed Mademoiselle des Touches.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
fish-seller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
forehead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
Formerly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
grenadier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I should like to know where the progress lies?”
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
impudent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Why, in this,” said Madame de Nucingen.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I should like to know where the progress lies?”
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
Laginski
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But what do you mean by a ‘perfect lady’?” asked Count Adam Laginski.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
lies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I should like to know where the progress lies?”
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I should like to know where the progress lies?”
Madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Why, in this,” said Madame de Nucingen.
Mademoiselle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And that they call progress!” exclaimed Mademoiselle des Touches.
mean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But what do you mean by a ‘perfect lady’?” asked Count Adam Laginski.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
Montmorency
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
Nucingen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Why, in this,” said Madame de Nucingen.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
perfect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But what do you mean by a ‘perfect lady’?” asked Count Adam Laginski.
progress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And that they call progress!” exclaimed Mademoiselle des Touches.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Why, in this,” said Madame de Nucingen.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “I should like to know where the progress lies?”
spite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “And that they call progress!” exclaimed Mademoiselle des Touches.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “I should like to know where the progress lies?”
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “And that they call progress!” exclaimed Mademoiselle des Touches.
thick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Why, in this,” said Madame de Nucingen.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I should like to know where the progress lies?”
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
Touches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And that they call progress!” exclaimed Mademoiselle des Touches.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
walk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “But what do you mean by a ‘perfect lady’?” asked Count Adam Laginski.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading “I should like to know where the progress lies?”
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Why, in this,” said Madame de Nucingen.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “Formerly a woman might have the voice of a fish-seller, the walk of a grenadier, the face of an impudent courtesan, her hair too high on her forehead, a large foot, a thick hand—she was a great lady in spite of it all; but in these days, even if she were a Montmorency—if a Montmorency would ever be such a creature—she would not be a lady.”
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “But what do you mean by a ‘perfect lady’?” asked Count Adam Laginski.
