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 That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
addition
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From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colder Alice was to Mr. Reredos, the more warmly and tenderly her mother conciliated and courted him.
All
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
anxiety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Here was a good match, which might be lost for a caprice, one might have supposed the good woman to be thinking; and it was her duty to prevent that consummation, if possible.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
beholding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
birthday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
caprice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a good match, which might be lost for a caprice, one might have supposed the good woman to be thinking; and it was her duty to prevent that consummation, if possible.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
colder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colder Alice was to Mr. Reredos, the more warmly and tenderly her mother conciliated and courted him.
conciliated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colder Alice was to Mr. Reredos, the more warmly and tenderly her mother conciliated and courted him.
condition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
consummation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a good match, which might be lost for a caprice, one might have supposed the good woman to be thinking; and it was her duty to prevent that consummation, if possible.
courted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colder Alice was to Mr. Reredos, the more warmly and tenderly her mother conciliated and courted him.
dissatisfaction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading Here was a good match, which might be lost for a caprice, one might have supposed the good woman to be thinking; and it was her duty to prevent that consummation, if possible.
Easter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
exactly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here was a good match, which might be lost for a caprice, one might have supposed the good woman to be thinking; and it was her duty to prevent that consummation, if possible.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
Harley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
Harleys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here was a good match, which might be lost for a caprice, one might have supposed the good woman to be thinking; and it was her duty to prevent that consummation, if possible.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The colder Alice was to Mr. Reredos, the more warmly and tenderly her mother conciliated and courted him.
honor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Here was a good match, which might be lost for a caprice, one might have supposed the good woman to be thinking; and it was her duty to prevent that consummation, if possible.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
including
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
increased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
Kate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a good match, which might be lost for a caprice, one might have supposed the good woman to be thinking; and it was her duty to prevent that consummation, if possible.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
match
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a good match, which might be lost for a caprice, one might have supposed the good woman to be thinking; and it was her duty to prevent that consummation, if possible.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Here was a good match, which might be lost for a caprice, one might have supposed the good woman to be thinking; and it was her duty to prevent that consummation, if possible.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colder Alice was to Mr. Reredos, the more warmly and tenderly her mother conciliated and courted him.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Here was a good match, which might be lost for a caprice, one might have supposed the good woman to be thinking; and it was her duty to prevent that consummation, if possible.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
perplexing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a good match, which might be lost for a caprice, one might have supposed the good woman to be thinking; and it was her duty to prevent that consummation, if possible.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
prevent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a good match, which might be lost for a caprice, one might have supposed the good woman to be thinking; and it was her duty to prevent that consummation, if possible.
provided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
Reredos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colder Alice was to Mr. Reredos, the more warmly and tenderly her mother conciliated and courted him.
satisfaction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
similar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a good match, which might be lost for a caprice, one might have supposed the good woman to be thinking; and it was her duty to prevent that consummation, if possible.
tenderly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colder Alice was to Mr. Reredos, the more warmly and tenderly her mother conciliated and courted him.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here was a good match, which might be lost for a caprice, one might have supposed the good woman to be thinking; and it was her duty to prevent that consummation, if possible.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
uncertain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
warmly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colder Alice was to Mr. Reredos, the more warmly and tenderly her mother conciliated and courted him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
Waterflag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That evening I had the satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of beholding a very similar condition of things to that which had occupied my attention in my own house at Easter.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Mrs. Harley was exactly what she had always been, but age had made her uncertain mind more uncertain, while it increased her anxiety to have her children “provided for,” as she called it.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
Willie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the Harleys were at Waterflag, in honor of Willie’s birthday, including the pretty little Kate, whose first party this was, and--a more perplexing addition--their mother.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a good match, which might be lost for a caprice, one might have supposed the good woman to be thinking; and it was her duty to prevent that consummation, if possible.
