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 A telegram had been received in the morning, which kept Valetta and Fergus on the qui vive all day.
Adeline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I am so thankful that you are come,’ said Adeline.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A telegram had been received in the morning, which kept Valetta and Fergus on the qui vive all day.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading ‘I am so thankful that you are come,’ said Adeline.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Valetta was an unspeakable worry to the patient Miss Vincent, and Fergus arranged his fossils and minerals.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A telegram had been received in the morning, which kept Valetta and Fergus on the qui vive all day.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ‘I am so thankful that you are come,’ said Adeline.
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
arranged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valetta was an unspeakable worry to the patient Miss Vincent, and Fergus arranged his fossils and minerals.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
aunts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A telegram had been received in the morning, which kept Valetta and Fergus on the qui vive all day.
BothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
busy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Yes, Lilias is quite well, very busy and happy--with her first instalment of children.’
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘I am so thankful that you are come,’ said Adeline.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A telegram had been received in the morning, which kept Valetta and Fergus on the qui vive all day.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
encircled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
failed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
Fergus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A telegram had been received in the morning, which kept Valetta and Fergus on the qui vive all day.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Yes, Lilias is quite well, very busy and happy--with her first instalment of children.’
flew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
fossils
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valetta was an unspeakable worry to the patient Miss Vincent, and Fergus arranged his fossils and minerals.
gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
greeted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A telegram had been received in the morning, which kept Valetta and Fergus on the qui vive all day.
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Yes, Lilias is quite well, very busy and happy--with her first instalment of children.’
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ‘Yes, Lilias is quite well, very busy and happy--with her first instalment of children.’
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Valetta was an unspeakable worry to the patient Miss Vincent, and Fergus arranged his fossils and minerals.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ‘I am so thankful that you are come,’ said Adeline.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A telegram had been received in the morning, which kept Valetta and Fergus on the qui vive all day.
instalment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Yes, Lilias is quite well, very busy and happy--with her first instalment of children.’
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘Yes, Lilias is quite well, very busy and happy--with her first instalment of children.’
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A telegram had been received in the morning, which kept Valetta and Fergus on the qui vive all day.
knee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
Lilias
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Yes, Lilias is quite well, very busy and happy--with her first instalment of children.’
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
minerals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valetta was an unspeakable worry to the patient Miss Vincent, and Fergus arranged his fossils and minerals.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valetta was an unspeakable worry to the patient Miss Vincent, and Fergus arranged his fossils and minerals.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A telegram had been received in the morning, which kept Valetta and Fergus on the qui vive all day.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ‘Yes, Lilias is quite well, very busy and happy--with her first instalment of children.’
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A telegram had been received in the morning, which kept Valetta and Fergus on the qui vive all day.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
patient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valetta was an unspeakable worry to the patient Miss Vincent, and Fergus arranged his fossils and minerals.
qui
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A telegram had been received in the morning, which kept Valetta and Fergus on the qui vive all day.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Yes, Lilias is quite well, very busy and happy--with her first instalment of children.’
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A telegram had been received in the morning, which kept Valetta and Fergus on the qui vive all day.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I am so thankful that you are come,’ said Adeline.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading ‘I am so thankful that you are come,’ said Adeline.
telegram
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A telegram had been received in the morning, which kept Valetta and Fergus on the qui vive all day.
thankful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I am so thankful that you are come,’ said Adeline.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ‘I am so thankful that you are come,’ said Adeline.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A telegram had been received in the morning, which kept Valetta and Fergus on the qui vive all day.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Valetta was an unspeakable worry to the patient Miss Vincent, and Fergus arranged his fossils and minerals.
unspeakable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valetta was an unspeakable worry to the patient Miss Vincent, and Fergus arranged his fossils and minerals.
Valetta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A telegram had been received in the morning, which kept Valetta and Fergus on the qui vive all day.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Yes, Lilias is quite well, very busy and happy--with her first instalment of children.’
Vincent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valetta was an unspeakable worry to the patient Miss Vincent, and Fergus arranged his fossils and minerals.
vive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A telegram had been received in the morning, which kept Valetta and Fergus on the qui vive all day.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Valetta was an unspeakable worry to the patient Miss Vincent, and Fergus arranged his fossils and minerals.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Yes, Lilias is quite well, very busy and happy--with her first instalment of children.’
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A telegram had been received in the morning, which kept Valetta and Fergus on the qui vive all day.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both children flew out to meet their father at the gate, but words failed them as he came into the house, greeted the aunts, and sat down with Fergus on his knee, and Valetta encircled by his arm.
worry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valetta was an unspeakable worry to the patient Miss Vincent, and Fergus arranged his fossils and minerals.
Yes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Yes, Lilias is quite well, very busy and happy--with her first instalment of children.’
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘I am so thankful that you are come,’ said Adeline.
