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 the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But M. Madeleine had heard nothing of all this.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading M. Madeleine was in the habit of almost never entering the women’s workroom.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But M. Madeleine had heard nothing of all this.
charity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
combinations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life is full of just such combinations of events.
confidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
consists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
degree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
elderly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
entering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading M. Madeleine was in the habit of almost never entering the women’s workroom.
equitable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
events
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life is full of just such combinations of events.
firm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading So the monk’s widow was good for something.
forgiving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life is full of just such combinations of events.
giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So the monk’s widow was good for something.
habit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading M. Madeleine was in the habit of almost never entering the women’s workroom.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But M. Madeleine had heard nothing of all this.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But M. Madeleine had heard nothing of all this.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading M. Madeleine was in the habit of almost never entering the women’s workroom.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Life is full of just such combinations of events.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life is full of just such combinations of events.
LifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Life is full of just such combinations of events.
M
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But M. Madeleine had heard nothing of all this.
Madeleine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But M. Madeleine had heard nothing of all this.
monk's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the monk’s widow was good for something.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading M. Madeleine was in the habit of almost never entering the women’s workroom.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading But M. Madeleine had heard nothing of all this.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But M. Madeleine had heard nothing of all this.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
priest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
provided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
respectable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So the monk’s widow was good for something.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading So the monk’s widow was good for something.
spinster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Life is full of just such combinations of events.
superintendent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So the monk’s widow was good for something.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But M. Madeleine had heard nothing of all this.
truly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
understanding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
upright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So the monk’s widow was good for something.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At the head of this room he had placed an elderly spinster, whom the priest had provided for him, and he had full confidence in this superintendent,—a truly respectable person, firm, equitable, upright, full of the charity which consists in giving, but not having in the same degree that charity which consists in understanding and in forgiving.
widow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the monk’s widow was good for something.
women's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading M. Madeleine was in the habit of almost never entering the women’s workroom.
workroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading M. Madeleine was in the habit of almost never entering the women’s workroom.
