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 It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
aspect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “It must ha’ been last night as he went,” said one.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
cheerful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
child's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
eager
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
element
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
empty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Trevanion remained in the empty house.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
evidently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
faint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
gathered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
ha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It must ha’ been last night as he went,” said one.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Trevanion remained in the empty house.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading John Trevanion remained in the empty house.
inn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Trevanion remained in the empty house.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “It must ha’ been last night as he went,” said one.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
miserable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “It must ha’ been last night as he went,” said one.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It must ha’ been last night as he went,” said one.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
number
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “It must ha’ been last night as he went,” said one.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
questioning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading John Trevanion remained in the empty house.
Rosalind's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
rural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
rustic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
rustical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It must ha’ been last night as he went,” said one.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.
slow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
stir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
surrounding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
sweep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading John Trevanion remained in the empty house.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
Trevanion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Trevanion remained in the empty house.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
unusual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
vacancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.
village
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “It must ha’ been last night as he went,” said one.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.
witnesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.
