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 Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
afresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the idea she found herself afresh on the edge of laughter, of a sudden and strange perversity of mirth.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
angry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It came to her with a lively shock, with a positive sting, that Mr. Drake was—could it be possible?
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
Bradeen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It came to her with a lively shock, with a positive sting, that Mr. Drake was—could it be possible?
Cocker's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
combined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
convergence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It came to her with a lively shock, with a positive sting, that Mr. Drake was—could it be possible?
dance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
dart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
diffidence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
doorways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
Drake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It came to her with a lively shock, with a positive sting, that Mr. Drake was—could it be possible?
edge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the idea she found herself afresh on the edge of laughter, of a sudden and strange perversity of mirth.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
erect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
figure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
flanked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
footman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With the idea she found herself afresh on the edge of laughter, of a sudden and strange perversity of mirth.
friend's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
frustrated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
heroine's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading With the idea she found herself afresh on the edge of laughter, of a sudden and strange perversity of mirth.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the idea she found herself afresh on the edge of laughter, of a sudden and strange perversity of mirth.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
image
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
impatience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
impression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
injured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
Jordan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
Lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
laughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the idea she found herself afresh on the edge of laughter, of a sudden and strange perversity of mirth.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
lively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It came to her with a lively shock, with a positive sting, that Mr. Drake was—could it be possible?
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
loomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
majestic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
mention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
middle-aged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
mirth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the idea she found herself afresh on the edge of laughter, of a sudden and strange perversity of mirth.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It came to her with a lively shock, with a positive sting, that Mr. Drake was—could it be possible?
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading With the idea she found herself afresh on the edge of laughter, of a sudden and strange perversity of mirth.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
peck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
perversity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the idea she found herself afresh on the edge of laughter, of a sudden and strange perversity of mirth.
positive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It came to her with a lively shock, with a positive sting, that Mr. Drake was—could it be possible?
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It came to her with a lively shock, with a positive sting, that Mr. Drake was—could it be possible?
quarter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
sharp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
shock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It came to her with a lively shock, with a positive sting, that Mr. Drake was—could it be possible?
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
sting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It came to her with a lively shock, with a positive sting, that Mr. Drake was—could it be possible?
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the idea she found herself afresh on the edge of laughter, of a sudden and strange perversity of mirth.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With the idea she found herself afresh on the edge of laughter, of a sudden and strange perversity of mirth.
swift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It came to her with a lively shock, with a positive sting, that Mr. Drake was—could it be possible?
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
trifled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
visitor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Drake loomed, in a swift image, before her; such a figure as she had seen in open doorways of houses in Cocker’s quarter—majestic, middle-aged, erect, flanked on either side by a footman and taking the name of a visitor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It came to her with a lively shock, with a positive sting, that Mr. Drake was—could it be possible?
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
whirl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mention of Lady Bradeen had frustrated for a while the convergence of our heroine’s thoughts; but with this impression of her old friend’s combined impatience and diffidence they began again to whirl round her, and continued it till one of them appeared to dart at her, out of the dance, as if with a sharp peck.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Jordan looked away from her now—looked, she thought, rather injured and, as if trifled with, even a little angry.
