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 He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
astonishedadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/
very surprised
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before long the sexton came by and saw his master, the parson, running behind three girls.
begged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst the five were trotting thus one behind the other, two labourers came with their hoes from the fields; the parson called out to them and begged that they would set him and the sexton free.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before long the sexton came by and saw his master, the parson, running behind three girls.
christening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
fast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
fields
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst the five were trotting thus one behind the other, two labourers came with their hoes from the fields; the parson called out to them and begged that they would set him and the sexton free.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
forget
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading Whilst the five were trotting thus one behind the other, two labourers came with their hoes from the fields; the parson called out to them and begged that they would set him and the sexton free.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Whilst the five were trotting thus one behind the other, two labourers came with their hoes from the fields; the parson called out to them and begged that they would set him and the sexton free.
girls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
good-for-nothing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
Hi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Before long the sexton came by and saw his master, the parson, running behind three girls.
hoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst the five were trotting thus one behind the other, two labourers came with their hoes from the fields; the parson called out to them and begged that they would set him and the sexton free.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
labourers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst the five were trotting thus one behind the other, two labourers came with their hoes from the fields; the parson called out to them and begged that they would set him and the sexton free.
likewise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Before long the sexton came by and saw his master, the parson, running behind three girls.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before long the sexton came by and saw his master, the parson, running behind three girls.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
obliged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Whilst the five were trotting thus one behind the other, two labourers came with their hoes from the fields; the parson called out to them and begged that they would set him and the sexton free.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst the five were trotting thus one behind the other, two labourers came with their hoes from the fields; the parson called out to them and begged that they would set him and the sexton free.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
parson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
procession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
pull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
quickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
reverence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
run
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
runningnounUS /ˈrunning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
seemly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
seized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst the five were trotting thus one behind the other, two labourers came with their hoes from the fields; the parson called out to them and begged that they would set him and the sexton free.
sexton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before long the sexton came by and saw his master, the parson, running behind three girls.
shame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
sleeve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
stuck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Whilst the five were trotting thus one behind the other, two labourers came with their hoes from the fields; the parson called out to them and begged that they would set him and the sexton free.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Whilst the five were trotting thus one behind the other, two labourers came with their hoes from the fields; the parson called out to them and begged that they would set him and the sexton free.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before long the sexton came by and saw his master, the parson, running behind three girls.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst the five were trotting thus one behind the other, two labourers came with their hoes from the fields; the parson called out to them and begged that they would set him and the sexton free.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
touched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
trotting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst the five were trotting thus one behind the other, two labourers came with their hoes from the fields; the parson called out to them and begged that they would set him and the sexton free.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst the five were trotting thus one behind the other, two labourers came with their hoes from the fields; the parson called out to them and begged that they would set him and the sexton free.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Whilst the five were trotting thus one behind the other, two labourers came with their hoes from the fields; the parson called out to them and begged that they would set him and the sexton free.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
WhilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading Whilst the five were trotting thus one behind the other, two labourers came with their hoes from the fields; the parson called out to them and begged that they would set him and the sexton free.
whitheradverbUS /ˈwɪðər/
an old word meaning “to where”
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Whilst the five were trotting thus one behind the other, two labourers came with their hoes from the fields; the parson called out to them and begged that they would set him and the sexton free.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Whilst the five were trotting thus one behind the other, two labourers came with their hoes from the fields; the parson called out to them and begged that they would set him and the sexton free.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the middle of the fields the parson met them, and when he saw the procession he said, “For shame, you good-for-nothing girls, why are you running across the fields after this young man? is that seemly?”
youngest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the same time he seized the youngest by the hand in order to pull her away, but as soon as he touched her he likewise stuck fast, and was himself obliged to run behind.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading He was astonished at this and called out, “Hi, your reverence, whither away so quickly? do not forget that we have a christening to-day!” and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.