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 DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
ago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
anger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
arrival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had scarcely moved since her arrival.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
bandaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
brow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes his eyes were open, sometimes closed.
darkened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.
DISCOVERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
DOLLS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
DRESSMAKER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
expression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes his eyes were open, sometimes closed.
faint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
familiarized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.
figure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
flowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had scarcely moved since her arrival.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had scarcely moved since her arrival.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.
helpless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had scarcely moved since her arrival.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sometimes his eyes were open, sometimes closed.
hushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
knitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.
lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
meaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
moved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had scarcely moved since her arrival.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.
ocean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
Only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Sometimes his eyes were open, sometimes closed.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.
recollections
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had scarcely moved since her arrival.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.
sides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading He had scarcely moved since her arrival.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.
Sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes his eyes were open, sometimes closed.
splints
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
stare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
swathed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/
except if; if not
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
unwinking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
usage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.
useless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Sometimes his eyes were open, sometimes closed.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When they were open, there was no meaning in their unwinking stare at one spot straight before them, unless for a moment the brow knitted into a faint expression of anger, or surprise.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
WORD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD A darkened and hushed room; the river outside the windows flowing on to the vast ocean; a figure on the bed, swathed and bandaged and bound, lying helpless on its back, with its two useless arms in splints at its sides.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only two days of usage so familiarized the little dressmaker with this scene, that it held the place occupied two days ago by the recollections of years.