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 “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
abbe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
addednounUS /added/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How could any woman help loving Calyste?”
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “What other proof is needed than her staying on at Les Touches.
bestowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
bid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “But is it certain?” said the mother.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
Calyste
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How could any woman help loving Calyste?”
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
Catholic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But is it certain?” said the mother.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
Christian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
fervent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
good-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “How could any woman help loving Calyste?”
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “What other proof is needed than her staying on at Les Touches.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
household
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
housekeeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How could any woman help loving Calyste?”
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
ideas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
lamb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
lantern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
Les
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What other proof is needed than her staying on at Les Touches.
lighting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
loving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How could any woman help loving Calyste?”
madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
metal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
mire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But is it certain?” said the mother.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
needed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What other proof is needed than her staying on at Les Touches.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What other proof is needed than her staying on at Les Touches.
plunge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
proof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What other proof is needed than her staying on at Les Touches.
property
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
shining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
staying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What other proof is needed than her staying on at Les Touches.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
testified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “What other proof is needed than her staying on at Les Touches.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
Touches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What other proof is needed than her staying on at Les Touches.
trained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What other proof is needed than her staying on at Les Touches.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
WhopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
wick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How could any woman help loving Calyste?”
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “It is now ten o’clock; I must bid you good-night,” said the abbe, lighting the wick of his lantern, the glass of which was clear and the metal shining, which testified to the care his housekeeper bestowed on the household property.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Who could ever have told me, madame,” he added, “that a young man brought up by you, trained by me to Christian ideas, a fervent Catholic, a child who has lived as a lamb without spot, would plunge into such mire?”
