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 The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
allowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
Bernardo-Benedictines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
boarders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
buildings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
communities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
conjunction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
CONVENT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LITTLE CONVENT.
convents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
dispersed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
distinct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
dwelt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading It was a strange pell-mell, in which each followed her rule.
eagerly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
Empire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a strange pell-mell, in which each followed her rule.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
Government
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
gowns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a strange pell-mell, in which each followed her rule.
homeless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
hotch-potch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
inhabited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a strange pell-mell, in which each followed her rule.
ladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
lastly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
LITTLEnounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE LITTLE CONVENT.
lodged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
nuns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
orders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
paid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
pell-mell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a strange pell-mell, in which each followed her rule.
pension
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
perfectly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
permissible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
Picpus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
remains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
reunion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
Revolution
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
rule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a strange pell-mell, in which each followed her rule.
schoolhouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
shelter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
sorts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a strange pell-mell, in which each followed her rule.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LITTLE CONVENT.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
UnderprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
varieties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
various
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
wings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading There were within the walls of Little Picpus three perfectly distinct buildings,--the great convent inhabited by the nuns, the schoolhouse in which the boarders were lodged, and, lastly, what was called the little convent.
women
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the Empire all these dispersed and homeless women were allowed to shelter themselves under the wings of the Bernardo-Benedictines; the Government paid them a small pension, and the ladies of Little Picpus eagerly received them.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter was a house with a garden, in which all sorts of old nuns of various orders, the remains of convents broken up in the Revolution, dwelt in common; a reunion of all the black, white, and gray gowns of all the communities, and all the varieties possible; what might be called, were such a conjunction of words permissible, a hotch-potch convent.
