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 It was a very pleasant little dinner-party.
Adela
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
advent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
allowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Everybody had been cheerful and talkative, and pleased with everybody else.
Annabel
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From this reading The new curate was as neutral as a curate should be and as Annabel Moulde would let him.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The new curate was as neutral as a curate should be and as Annabel Moulde would let him.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
Aunt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The new curate was as neutral as a curate should be and as Annabel Moulde would let him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Everybody had been cheerful and talkative, and pleased with everybody else.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
cheerful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everybody had been cheerful and talkative, and pleased with everybody else.
cooking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
cousins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
criticizing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
curate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new curate was as neutral as a curate should be and as Annabel Moulde would let him.
deafer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
devotion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
dinner-party
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very pleasant little dinner-party.
ear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
electric
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everybody had been cheerful and talkative, and pleased with everybody else.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
EverybodypronounUS /ˈevribɑːdi/
every person
From this reading Everybody had been cheerful and talkative, and pleased with everybody else.
expanded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
flutter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
gentlemennounUS /gentlemen/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
grandchildren
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
gush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Everybody had been cheerful and talkative, and pleased with everybody else.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The new curate was as neutral as a curate should be and as Annabel Moulde would let him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
hostess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
illuminated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
instantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a very pleasant little dinner-party.
James
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading The new curate was as neutral as a curate should be and as Annabel Moulde would let him.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a very pleasant little dinner-party.
meal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
mellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
merciful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
Moulde
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new curate was as neutral as a curate should be and as Annabel Moulde would let him.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
neutral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new curate was as neutral as a curate should be and as Annabel Moulde would let him.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new curate was as neutral as a curate should be and as Annabel Moulde would let him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
Old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
pay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
pleasantnounUS /pleasant/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a very pleasant little dinner-party.
pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Everybody had been cheerful and talkative, and pleased with everybody else.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
quoting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
reliable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
Shakespeare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The new curate was as neutral as a curate should be and as Annabel Moulde would let him.
shrine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
stage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
stammering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
switches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
talkative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everybody had been cheerful and talkative, and pleased with everybody else.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The new curate was as neutral as a curate should be and as Annabel Moulde would let him.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
uncertain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
unreproved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
Valentine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very pleasant little dinner-party.
vows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a very pleasant little dinner-party.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Old Mr. Valentine, quoting Shakespeare and criticizing the cooking, was mellow with his hostess, and merciful to his grandchildren, and even allowed Aunt Adela, who always expanded in the presence of ‘the gentlemen,’ to gush and flutter unreproved at his deafer ear.
Wilfred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred and James, reliable as electric switches, had been instantly illuminated by the advent of the two pretty cousins and by the end of the meal, were already in the stammering stage of a great devotion, though still uncertain at which shrine to pay their vows.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Everybody had been cheerful and talkative, and pleased with everybody else.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The new curate was as neutral as a curate should be and as Annabel Moulde would let him.
