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 At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The joyful barking of the animals was the last noise that awakened the echoes slumbering among the darksome walls of the ancient house.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading The joyful barking of the animals was the last noise that awakened the echoes slumbering among the darksome walls of the ancient house.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
animals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The joyful barking of the animals was the last noise that awakened the echoes slumbering among the darksome walls of the ancient house.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “You have dropped the paper, sister, but you are not asleep,” said the old woman, slyly.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
asleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have dropped the paper, sister, but you are not asleep,” said the old woman, slyly.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
awakened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The joyful barking of the animals was the last noise that awakened the echoes slumbering among the darksome walls of the ancient house.
ball
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
barking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The joyful barking of the animals was the last noise that awakened the echoes slumbering among the darksome walls of the ancient house.
baron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
busy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “You have dropped the paper, sister, but you are not asleep,” said the old woman, slyly.
Calyste
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
chivalry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two dogs and the two horses were the only remaining vestiges of the splendors of its chivalry.
daily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
darksome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The joyful barking of the animals was the last noise that awakened the echoes slumbering among the darksome walls of the ancient house.
distaff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
dogs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two dogs and the two horses were the only remaining vestiges of the splendors of its chivalry.
dropped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have dropped the paper, sister, but you are not asleep,” said the old woman, slyly.
echoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The joyful barking of the animals was the last noise that awakened the echoes slumbering among the darksome walls of the ancient house.
fetched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
Gasselin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “You have dropped the paper, sister, but you are not asleep,” said the old woman, slyly.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
horses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The joyful barking of the animals was the last noise that awakened the echoes slumbering among the darksome walls of the ancient house.
hunting-dogs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The two dogs and the two horses were the only remaining vestiges of the splendors of its chivalry.
joyful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The joyful barking of the animals was the last noise that awakened the echoes slumbering among the darksome walls of the ancient house.
lamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The joyful barking of the animals was the last noise that awakened the echoes slumbering among the darksome walls of the ancient house.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
Mariotte
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
meal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
noise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The joyful barking of the animals was the last noise that awakened the echoes slumbering among the darksome walls of the ancient house.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “You have dropped the paper, sister, but you are not asleep,” said the old woman, slyly.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
offices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have dropped the paper, sister, but you are not asleep,” said the old woman, slyly.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two dogs and the two horses were the only remaining vestiges of the splendors of its chivalry.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have dropped the paper, sister, but you are not asleep,” said the old woman, slyly.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
recess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
remaining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two dogs and the two horses were the only remaining vestiges of the splendors of its chivalry.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have dropped the paper, sister, but you are not asleep,” said the old woman, slyly.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
sister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have dropped the paper, sister, but you are not asleep,” said the old woman, slyly.
slumbering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The joyful barking of the animals was the last noise that awakened the echoes slumbering among the darksome walls of the ancient house.
slyly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have dropped the paper, sister, but you are not asleep,” said the old woman, slyly.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
spin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
splendorsplural nounUS /ˈsplendərz/
impressive and beautiful signs of wealth or importance
From this reading The two dogs and the two horses were the only remaining vestiges of the splendors of its chivalry.
square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
stable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
stool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “You have dropped the paper, sister, but you are not asleep,” said the old woman, slyly.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
thread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
vestiges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two dogs and the two horses were the only remaining vestiges of the splendors of its chivalry.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The joyful barking of the animals was the last noise that awakened the echoes slumbering among the darksome walls of the ancient house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Gasselin was still busy about the offices; he looked to the horses of the baron and Calyste, saw that the stable was in order for the night, and gave the two fine hunting-dogs their daily meal.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The two dogs and the two horses were the only remaining vestiges of the splendors of its chivalry.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment Mariotte came in to light the lamp, which she placed on a square table in front of the fire; then she fetched her distaff, her ball of thread, and a small stool, on which she seated herself in the recess of a window and began as usual to spin.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have dropped the paper, sister, but you are not asleep,” said the old woman, slyly.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You have dropped the paper, sister, but you are not asleep,” said the old woman, slyly.
