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 One morning after breakfast I found the whole family assembled in the yellow drawing-room in a state of unusual excitement.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading One morning after breakfast I found the whole family assembled in the yellow drawing-room in a state of unusual excitement.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
Annunziata
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianca was chattering, Romeo was smiling, and Annunziata, of course, was smiling too.
assembled
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From this reading One morning after breakfast I found the whole family assembled in the yellow drawing-room in a state of unusual excitement.
Beckoning
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From this reading Beckoning me confidentially towards her, and showing her gums even more freely than usual, she said: "There is great news.
Bianca
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianca was chattering, Romeo was smiling, and Annunziata, of course, was smiling too.
bloodless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
breakfast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning after breakfast I found the whole family assembled in the yellow drawing-room in a state of unusual excitement.
chattering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianca was chattering, Romeo was smiling, and Annunziata, of course, was smiling too.
cheek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
confidentially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beckoning me confidentially towards her, and showing her gums even more freely than usual, she said: "There is great news.
COSTANZA
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From this reading COSTANZA MARCHETTI.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Bianca was chattering, Romeo was smiling, and Annunziata, of course, was smiling too.
dignity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
distinct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning after breakfast I found the whole family assembled in the yellow drawing-room in a state of unusual excitement.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
EvennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
excitement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning after breakfast I found the whole family assembled in the yellow drawing-room in a state of unusual excitement.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning after breakfast I found the whole family assembled in the yellow drawing-room in a state of unusual excitement.
favour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One morning after breakfast I found the whole family assembled in the yellow drawing-room in a state of unusual excitement.
freely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beckoning me confidentially towards her, and showing her gums even more freely than usual, she said: "There is great news.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Beckoning me confidentially towards her, and showing her gums even more freely than usual, she said: "There is great news.
gums
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beckoning me confidentially towards her, and showing her gums even more freely than usual, she said: "There is great news.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
handsomenounUS /ˈhandsome/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading One morning after breakfast I found the whole family assembled in the yellow drawing-room in a state of unusual excitement.
impassive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
impenetrable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One morning after breakfast I found the whole family assembled in the yellow drawing-room in a state of unusual excitement.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Beckoning me confidentially towards her, and showing her gums even more freely than usual, she said: "There is great news.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
lively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
Marchesa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
MARCHETTI
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COSTANZA MARCHETTI.
mask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Beckoning me confidentially towards her, and showing her gums even more freely than usual, she said: "There is great news.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beckoning me confidentially towards her, and showing her gums even more freely than usual, she said: "There is great news.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One morning after breakfast I found the whole family assembled in the yellow drawing-room in a state of unusual excitement.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beckoning me confidentially towards her, and showing her gums even more freely than usual, she said: "There is great news.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One morning after breakfast I found the whole family assembled in the yellow drawing-room in a state of unusual excitement.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One morning after breakfast I found the whole family assembled in the yellow drawing-room in a state of unusual excitement.
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
Romeo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianca was chattering, Romeo was smiling, and Annunziata, of course, was smiling too.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beckoning me confidentially towards her, and showing her gums even more freely than usual, she said: "There is great news.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Beckoning me confidentially towards her, and showing her gums even more freely than usual, she said: "There is great news.
showing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beckoning me confidentially towards her, and showing her gums even more freely than usual, she said: "There is great news.
shrivelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
smiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianca was chattering, Romeo was smiling, and Annunziata, of course, was smiling too.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning after breakfast I found the whole family assembled in the yellow drawing-room in a state of unusual excitement.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Beckoning me confidentially towards her, and showing her gums even more freely than usual, she said: "There is great news.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One morning after breakfast I found the whole family assembled in the yellow drawing-room in a state of unusual excitement.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beckoning me confidentially towards her, and showing her gums even more freely than usual, she said: "There is great news.
thrown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the bloodless little Marchesa had a red spot on either shrivelled cheek, and her handsome old husband had thrown off for once his mask of impenetrable and impassive dignity in favour of an air of distinct and lively pleasure.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianca was chattering, Romeo was smiling, and Annunziata, of course, was smiling too.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading Beckoning me confidentially towards her, and showing her gums even more freely than usual, she said: "There is great news.
unusual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning after breakfast I found the whole family assembled in the yellow drawing-room in a state of unusual excitement.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beckoning me confidentially towards her, and showing her gums even more freely than usual, she said: "There is great news.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Bianca was chattering, Romeo was smiling, and Annunziata, of course, was smiling too.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning after breakfast I found the whole family assembled in the yellow drawing-room in a state of unusual excitement.
yellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning after breakfast I found the whole family assembled in the yellow drawing-room in a state of unusual excitement.
