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 SOCIETY GOSSIP We were at the beginning of November, a Friday, ominous day for me.
accessible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
account
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
appear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
approaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
arrange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading SOCIETY GOSSIP We were at the beginning of November, a Friday, ominous day for me.
attached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading SOCIETY GOSSIP We were at the beginning of November, a Friday, ominous day for me.
beset
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
blissful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
Catherine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
crowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
daily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOCIETY GOSSIP We were at the beginning of November, a Friday, ominous day for me.
de
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
desirousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪərəs/
having a strong wish to do or obtain something
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
difficult
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
dispelling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
engagements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
entangled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
Fersen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
fetters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, she had pledged herself to give me a few hours to myself.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading SOCIETY GOSSIP We were at the beginning of November, a Friday, ominous day for me.
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
Friday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOCIETY GOSSIP We were at the beginning of November, a Friday, ominous day for me.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, she had pledged herself to give me a few hours to myself.
GOSSIP
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOCIETY GOSSIP We were at the beginning of November, a Friday, ominous day for me.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
happiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Still, she had pledged herself to give me a few hours to myself.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, she had pledged herself to give me a few hours to myself.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
husband's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
informed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
invisible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
Madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading SOCIETY GOSSIP We were at the beginning of November, a Friday, ominous day for me.
meeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
meetings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Still, she had pledged herself to give me a few hours to myself.
November
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOCIETY GOSSIP We were at the beginning of November, a Friday, ominous day for me.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SOCIETY GOSSIP We were at the beginning of November, a Friday, ominous day for me.
ominous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOCIETY GOSSIP We were at the beginning of November, a Friday, ominous day for me.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
pledged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, she had pledged herself to give me a few hours to myself.
postponing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
preparing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
putting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
rare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Still, she had pledged herself to give me a few hours to myself.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
SOCIETY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOCIETY GOSSIP We were at the beginning of November, a Friday, ominous day for me.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
StillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Still, she had pledged herself to give me a few hours to myself.
suspicion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SOCIETY GOSSIP We were at the beginning of November, a Friday, ominous day for me.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
thousand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For some time, Madame de Fersen, informed of her husband's approaching return, desirous of dispelling suspicion, had thought best to be at home at all times, and accessible to every one.
trifling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
value
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading SOCIETY GOSSIP We were at the beginning of November, a Friday, ominous day for me.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading SOCIETY GOSSIP We were at the beginning of November, a Friday, ominous day for me.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Our private meetings had become so rare, so difficult to arrange, on account of the crowd which beset her, that we both attached great value to this day of happiness.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Catherine had been preparing for some time for this blissful meeting by postponing or putting an end to a thousand trifling engagements which are like invisible fetters in which a woman of society, however free she may appear, is daily entangled.
