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 She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
acuteness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
amounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In later years he called this feeling a foreboding, and remembered two or three occasions when he had been on the point of expressing it to Georgina.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
break
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In later years he called this feeling a foreboding, and remembered two or three occasions when he had been on the point of expressing it to Georgina.
certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
charm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
circumstances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
conjure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of course, in fact, he never expressed it; there were plenty of good reasons for that.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
distressnounUS /dɪˈstrɛs/
extreme sadness or suffering
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
expressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, in fact, he never expressed it; there were plenty of good reasons for that.
expressing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In later years he called this feeling a foreboding, and remembered two or three occasions when he had been on the point of expressing it to Georgina.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, in fact, he never expressed it; there were plenty of good reasons for that.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In later years he called this feeling a foreboding, and remembered two or three occasions when he had been on the point of expressing it to Georgina.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
foreboding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In later years he called this feeling a foreboding, and remembered two or three occasions when he had been on the point of expressing it to Georgina.
form
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
Georgina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In later years he called this feeling a foreboding, and remembered two or three occasions when he had been on the point of expressing it to Georgina.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of course, in fact, he never expressed it; there were plenty of good reasons for that.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
impression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In later years he called this feeling a foreboding, and remembered two or three occasions when he had been on the point of expressing it to Georgina.
intimate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In later years he called this feeling a foreboding, and remembered two or three occasions when he had been on the point of expressing it to Georgina.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
morally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
n't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
neuralgia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
occasions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In later years he called this feeling a foreboding, and remembered two or three occasions when he had been on the point of expressing it to Georgina.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In later years he called this feeling a foreboding, and remembered two or three occasions when he had been on the point of expressing it to Georgina.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
plenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, in fact, he never expressed it; there were plenty of good reasons for that.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading In later years he called this feeling a foreboding, and remembered two or three occasions when he had been on the point of expressing it to Georgina.
positive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
reasonsnounUS /ˈreasons/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Of course, in fact, he never expressed it; there were plenty of good reasons for that.
remembered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In later years he called this feeling a foreboding, and remembered two or three occasions when he had been on the point of expressing it to Georgina.
resist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
shot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
singular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
singularity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
speaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
surprising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, in fact, he never expressed it; there were plenty of good reasons for that.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In later years he called this feeling a foreboding, and remembered two or three occasions when he had been on the point of expressing it to Georgina.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In later years he called this feeling a foreboding, and remembered two or three occasions when he had been on the point of expressing it to Georgina.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
twinge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In later years he called this feeling a foreboding, and remembered two or three occasions when he had been on the point of expressing it to Georgina.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was certainly a singular girl, and if he felt at the end that he did n’t know her nor understand her, it is not surprising that he should have felt it at the beginning.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Of course, in fact, he never expressed it; there were plenty of good reasons for that.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading In later years he called this feeling a foreboding, and remembered two or three occasions when he had been on the point of expressing it to Georgina.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But he felt at the beginning what he did not feel at the end, that her singularity took the form of a charm which--once circumstances had made them so intimate--it was impossible to resist or conjure away.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had a strange impression (it amounted at times to a positive distress, and shot through the sense of pleasure--morally speaking--with the acuteness of a sudden twinge of neuralgia) that it would be better for each of them that they should break off short and never see each other again.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In later years he called this feeling a foreboding, and remembered two or three occasions when he had been on the point of expressing it to Georgina.