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 is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So all the lords-in-waiting and the ladies-in-waiting had to be very careful and discreet.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/
any person at all
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
asleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
awakened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
birthday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
boundaries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
Briar-Rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
careful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So all the lords-in-waiting and the ladies-in-waiting had to be very careful and discreet.
christening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
contain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
Customs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
decreed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
discreet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So all the lords-in-waiting and the ladies-in-waiting had to be very careful and discreet.
distaff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
events
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
examine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
fairies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
fall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
feast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
fifteenth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
handsomenounUS /ˈhandsome/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
judges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
King
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
King's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
kingdom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
ladies-in-waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So all the lords-in-waiting and the ladies-in-waiting had to be very careful and discreet.
lestconjunctionUS /lest/
in order that something should not happen
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
lords-in-waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So all the lords-in-waiting and the ladies-in-waiting had to be very careful and discreet.
mention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
merchandise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/
no person; not anyone
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
officers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
orders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
pains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
picture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
pleasantnounUS /pleasant/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
Prince
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
PrincessnounUS /ˈprɪn.ses/
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
punished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
reference
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
smuggle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So all the lords-in-waiting and the ladies-in-waiting had to be very careful and discreet.
spindle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
spinningnounUS /ˈspɪnɪŋ/
the act of making thread from fibers
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
spinning-wheel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE little Princess Briar-Rose, of course, knew nothing of the strange events that had happened at the feast of her christening, and the King gave orders that nobody should even mention the subject to her.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So all the lords-in-waiting and the ladies-in-waiting had to be very careful and discreet.
waggon-load
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The King's Customs officers, on the boundaries of the kingdom, had to examine every waggon-load of merchandise that came into the country for fear it should contain a spinning-wheel; and if anybody was found trying to smuggle one in he was brought before the judges and punished.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they told the Princess a story, they had to keep the word "spinning" out of it; and if they showed her a book they had to take pains to see it did not contain a picture of a spinning-wheel, or any reference to a distaff or spindle, lest she should ask what they were.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not a pleasant thing to know that the fairies have decreed that one shall fall asleep for a hundred years on one's fifteenth birthday, even though one is to be awakened by a handsome Prince at the end of that time.
