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 too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
accident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It hung at the best by the merest silken thread, which was at the mercy of any accident and might snap at any minute.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Eighteen days elapsed, and she had begun to think it probable she should never see him again.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Eighteen days elapsed, and she had begun to think it probable she should never see him again.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It hung at the best by the merest silken thread, which was at the mercy of any accident and might snap at any minute.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
beautiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
begun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eighteen days elapsed, and she had begun to think it probable she should never see him again.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It hung at the best by the merest silken thread, which was at the mercy of any accident and might snap at any minute.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
cast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
casual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
charm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
complications
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
concerned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eighteen days elapsed, and she had begun to think it probable she should never see him again.
decent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
delicacy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
Eighteen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eighteen days elapsed, and she had begun to think it probable she should never see him again.
elapsed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eighteen days elapsed, and she had begun to think it probable she should never see him again.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
final
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Eighteen days elapsed, and she had begun to think it probable she should never see him again.
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Eighteen days elapsed, and she had begun to think it probable she should never see him again.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It hung at the best by the merest silken thread, which was at the mercy of any accident and might snap at any minute.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
impediments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Eighteen days elapsed, and she had begun to think it probable she should never see him again.
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
lightened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
mercy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It hung at the best by the merest silken thread, which was at the mercy of any accident and might snap at any minute.
merest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It hung at the best by the merest silken thread, which was at the mercy of any accident and might snap at any minute.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
minute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It hung at the best by the merest silken thread, which was at the mercy of any accident and might snap at any minute.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Eighteen days elapsed, and she had begun to think it probable she should never see him again.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
O
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
original
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
P
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
precariousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
probable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eighteen days elapsed, and she had begun to think it probable she should never see him again.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
reasonsnounUS /ˈreasons/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
relation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
restored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
secrets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eighteen days elapsed, and she had begun to think it probable she should never see him again.
servant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Eighteen days elapsed, and she had begun to think it probable she should never see him again.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Eighteen days elapsed, and she had begun to think it probable she should never see him again.
silken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It hung at the best by the merest silken thread, which was at the mercy of any accident and might snap at any minute.
snap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It hung at the best by the merest silken thread, which was at the mercy of any accident and might snap at any minute.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
suffered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Eighteen days elapsed, and she had begun to think it probable she should never see him again.
thread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It hung at the best by the merest silken thread, which was at the mercy of any accident and might snap at any minute.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Eighteen days elapsed, and she had begun to think it probable she should never see him again.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He too then understood now: he had made out that she had secrets and reasons and impediments, that even a poor girl at the P.O. might have her complications.
untroubled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It hung at the best by the merest silken thread, which was at the mercy of any accident and might snap at any minute.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Never so much as during these latter days had she felt the precariousness of their relation—the happy beautiful untroubled original one, if it could only have been restored—in which the public servant and the casual public only were concerned.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading With the charm she had cast on him lightened by distance he had suffered a final delicacy to speak to him, had made up his mind that it would be only decent to let her alone.
