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 “Or _anywhere_!” said Christina Alberta with a note of despair.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
Alberta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Or _anywhere_!” said Christina Alberta with a note of despair.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
anywhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Or _anywhere_!” said Christina Alberta with a note of despair.
Asylum
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From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
away
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From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
baffled
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From this reading They returned to London completely baffled.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
becomes
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From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
British
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From this reading Until now Christina Alberta had never heard of that one kindly weakness in the British lunacy laws, the release of the fourteen days freedom.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
certificate
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From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
Christina
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From this reading “Or _anywhere_!” said Christina Alberta with a note of despair.
completely
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From this reading They returned to London completely baffled.
Cummerdown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until now Christina Alberta had never heard of that one kindly weakness in the British lunacy laws, the release of the fourteen days freedom.
despair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Or _anywhere_!” said Christina Alberta with a note of despair.
Devizes
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From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
examination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
explained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
fourteen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until now Christina Alberta had never heard of that one kindly weakness in the British lunacy laws, the release of the fourteen days freedom.
freedom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until now Christina Alberta had never heard of that one kindly weakness in the British lunacy laws, the release of the fourteen days freedom.
fresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Until now Christina Alberta had never heard of that one kindly weakness in the British lunacy laws, the release of the fourteen days freedom.
harm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until now Christina Alberta had never heard of that one kindly weakness in the British lunacy laws, the release of the fourteen days freedom.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
kindly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until now Christina Alberta had never heard of that one kindly weakness in the British lunacy laws, the release of the fourteen days freedom.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
laws
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until now Christina Alberta had never heard of that one kindly weakness in the British lunacy laws, the release of the fourteen days freedom.
legally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They returned to London completely baffled.
lunacy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until now Christina Alberta had never heard of that one kindly weakness in the British lunacy laws, the release of the fourteen days freedom.
lunatic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Until now Christina Alberta had never heard of that one kindly weakness in the British lunacy laws, the release of the fourteen days freedom.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
note
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Or _anywhere_!” said Christina Alberta with a note of despair.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until now Christina Alberta had never heard of that one kindly weakness in the British lunacy laws, the release of the fourteen days freedom.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Or _anywhere_!” said Christina Alberta with a note of despair.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Until now Christina Alberta had never heard of that one kindly weakness in the British lunacy laws, the release of the fourteen days freedom.
OrconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Or _anywhere_!” said Christina Alberta with a note of despair.
period
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
Police
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
release
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until now Christina Alberta had never heard of that one kindly weakness in the British lunacy laws, the release of the fourteen days freedom.
remain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading They returned to London completely baffled.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Or _anywhere_!” said Christina Alberta with a note of despair.
sane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
search
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
Station
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They returned to London completely baffled.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They returned to London completely baffled.
touched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
UntilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Until now Christina Alberta had never heard of that one kindly weakness in the British lunacy laws, the release of the fourteen days freedom.
villages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
visit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Christina Alberta was for a visit to the Cummerdown Police Station and for a search in the villages round about, but Devizes explained that this might do more harm than good.
weaknessnounUS /ˈwiːknəs/
a lack of physical strength
From this reading Until now Christina Alberta had never heard of that one kindly weakness in the British lunacy laws, the release of the fourteen days freedom.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Or _anywhere_!” said Christina Alberta with a note of despair.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading If the lunatic can get away from the Asylum and remain at large for that period, he or she becomes legally sane again, and cannot be touched without a fresh examination and a new certificate.
