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 From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
altogether
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
answer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Oh, my daughter! my lost daughter!” she would moan; “where are you now, and where have you been these many years, when I thought you dead in your little grave?”
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
attached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
baby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Oh, my daughter! my lost daughter!” she would moan; “where are you now, and where have you been these many years, when I thought you dead in your little grave?”
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
begging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
blame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
colonel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
consciousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
darling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, my daughter! my lost daughter!” she would moan; “where are you now, and where have you been these many years, when I thought you dead in your little grave?”
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
delirium
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
dwell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
Edith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
fainting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
fancied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
fast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
fled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
forever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
forgive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
furiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
gently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
grave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, my daughter! my lost daughter!” she would moan; “where are you now, and where have you been these many years, when I thought you dead in your little grave?”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
harmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Oh, my daughter! my lost daughter!” she would moan; “where are you now, and where have you been these many years, when I thought you dead in your little grave?”
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Oh, my daughter! my lost daughter!” she would moan; “where are you now, and where have you been these many years, when I thought you dead in your little grave?”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
lain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, my daughter! my lost daughter!” she would moan; “where are you now, and where have you been these many years, when I thought you dead in your little grave?”
meaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
mercy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
moan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, my daughter! my lost daughter!” she would moan; “where are you now, and where have you been these many years, when I thought you dead in your little grave?”
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
moment's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
mother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Oh, my daughter! my lost daughter!” she would moan; “where are you now, and where have you been these many years, when I thought you dead in your little grave?”
natural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, my daughter! my lost daughter!” she would moan; “where are you now, and where have you been these many years, when I thought you dead in your little grave?”
Oh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, my daughter! my lost daughter!” she would moan; “where are you now, and where have you been these many years, when I thought you dead in your little grave?”
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
rave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
raved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
rescue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
StillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
theme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading “Oh, my daughter! my lost daughter!” she would moan; “where are you now, and where have you been these many years, when I thought you dead in your little grave?”
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Still, it was strange, he thought, that she should rave about it so furiously, begging him to go and find it and rescue it from the streets, and bring it to her, so she could tell it she was not altogether to blame.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
tossed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
vain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her lost baby was her theme; but at first the colonel attached no meaning to it, thinking it but natural that her mind should dwell upon the little one dead before it was born.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading “Oh, my daughter! my lost daughter!” she would moan; “where are you now, and where have you been these many years, when I thought you dead in your little grave?”
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
whisper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment when Edith fell fainting across her mother’s feet, she had never known a moment’s consciousness, but had either lain like one from whom life had fled forever, or raved in wild delirium as she tossed from side to side, trying in vain to free herself from the strong arms which in mercy held her so fast.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “Oh, my daughter! my lost daughter!” she would moan; “where are you now, and where have you been these many years, when I thought you dead in your little grave?”
wrong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she would whisper to some fancied person standing by her bed, and ask him to forgive her for the wrong done to his child, and when the colonel said to her, gently, “Edith, darling, you have not harmed our child,” she would answer him:
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, my daughter! my lost daughter!” she would moan; “where are you now, and where have you been these many years, when I thought you dead in your little grave?”
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Oh, my daughter! my lost daughter!” she would moan; “where are you now, and where have you been these many years, when I thought you dead in your little grave?”
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Oh, my daughter! my lost daughter!” she would moan; “where are you now, and where have you been these many years, when I thought you dead in your little grave?”
