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 not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
accept
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From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
agreed
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From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
all
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From this reading But all at once the thunderbolt fell.
also
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From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
anxiety
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From this reading She did not evince any great anxiety on the subject; the indisposition could only be due to a little fatigue.
any
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From this reading She did not evince any great anxiety on the subject; the indisposition could only be due to a little fatigue.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
ask
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From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But all at once the thunderbolt fell.
bad
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From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
battle
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From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She did not evince any great anxiety on the subject; the indisposition could only be due to a little fatigue.
bed
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From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
birth
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From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
Blaise
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From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
bravely
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From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But all at once the thunderbolt fell.
Constance
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From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She did not evince any great anxiety on the subject; the indisposition could only be due to a little fatigue.
decided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She did not evince any great anxiety on the subject; the indisposition could only be due to a little fatigue.
due
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not evince any great anxiety on the subject; the indisposition could only be due to a little fatigue.
engage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
engaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
evince
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not evince any great anxiety on the subject; the indisposition could only be due to a little fatigue.
fact
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From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
fatigue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not evince any great anxiety on the subject; the indisposition could only be due to a little fatigue.
fell
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From this reading But all at once the thunderbolt fell.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She did not evince any great anxiety on the subject; the indisposition could only be due to a little fatigue.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
hesitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
indisposition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not evince any great anxiety on the subject; the indisposition could only be due to a little fatigue.
instructions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
machinery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
Maurice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
mindful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But all at once the thunderbolt fell.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not evince any great anxiety on the subject; the indisposition could only be due to a little fatigue.
pavilion
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From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
piece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
prevailed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
proposal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
reducing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
remain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
status
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not evince any great anxiety on the subject; the indisposition could only be due to a little fatigue.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But all at once the thunderbolt fell.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
thunderbolt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But all at once the thunderbolt fell.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But at the birth of his little girl he bravely decided to accept the proposal, and to engage in the battle of life even as his father had engaged in it, mindful of the fact that he also might in time have a large family.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It was not without some hesitation that Blaise had agreed to make the little pavilion his home, for he knew that there was an idea of reducing him to the status of a mere piece of machinery.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it so happened that one morning, when he went up to the house to ask Maurice for some instructions, he heard from Constance herself that the young man had spent a very bad night, and that she had therefore prevailed on him to remain in bed.
