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 “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading For the first time in his life John’s mother felt herself incapable of helping, or guiding, or being of any service to her boy.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
command
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
countenance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
cover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
croquet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
decision
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life John’s mother felt herself incapable of helping, or guiding, or being of any service to her boy.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
finally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the first time in his life John’s mother felt herself incapable of helping, or guiding, or being of any service to her boy.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
Fred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
guiding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life John’s mother felt herself incapable of helping, or guiding, or being of any service to her boy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
helping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life John’s mother felt herself incapable of helping, or guiding, or being of any service to her boy.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For the first time in his life John’s mother felt herself incapable of helping, or guiding, or being of any service to her boy.
Huntley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
incapable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life John’s mother felt herself incapable of helping, or guiding, or being of any service to her boy.
inclination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
influence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
intercourse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
interested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
John's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life John’s mother felt herself incapable of helping, or guiding, or being of any service to her boy.
Kate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
knitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
lawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the first time in his life John’s mother felt herself incapable of helping, or guiding, or being of any service to her boy.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
Mitford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life John’s mother felt herself incapable of helping, or guiding, or being of any service to her boy.
motives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
mowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For the first time in his life John’s mother felt herself incapable of helping, or guiding, or being of any service to her boy.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
piteously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
placidity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
reasoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
rode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
schools
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life John’s mother felt herself incapable of helping, or guiding, or being of any service to her boy.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
shedding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
tears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the first time in his life John’s mother felt herself incapable of helping, or guiding, or being of any service to her boy.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
try
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “If I try to influence her, she will think I have interested motives; and if I try to influence him, my boy will turn against me,” she had said to herself piteously, shedding a few silent tears under cover of the night; and her decision had been, that she would only stand by and look on, that was all.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The next afternoon John and Kate were on the lawn, with Mrs Mitford sitting by, when Fred Huntley suddenly rode in at the gate.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She did not take any part in their talk, but knitted with as much placidity as she could command, having reasoned with herself all the night through, and finally made up her mind that it would be better for her to take no part, but let things take their course.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two young people had no particular inclination for croquet, but the lawn had been mowed, and Mrs Mitford had given up her schools for one day, and seated herself outside the drawing-room window to countenance their intercourse.
