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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
back
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From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
beautiful
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From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
bid
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From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
birds
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From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
came
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From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
cheek
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From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
cottage
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From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
curls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
door-step
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From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
doors
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From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
drudgery
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From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
fan
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From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
fingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
Ford's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
grass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
green
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
household
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
idly
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From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
Jacob
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
Jacob's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
lap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
leaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
Lucy
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From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
Mary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
maybe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
mechanically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
moved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
outskirts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
pale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
Percy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
performing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
seldom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
shuddering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
sit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
Sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
soothingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
sorrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
stars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
stifling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
strayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
temples
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
tempt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
threshold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
twisting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
uncomplainingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
wrinkled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
