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 Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
ball
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading They occupied the corner down by the door, between the door and the east window; a corner that was cold in winter and warm in summer; a corner that other classes shunned.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
class
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
classes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They occupied the corner down by the door, between the door and the east window; a corner that was cold in winter and warm in summer; a corner that other classes shunned.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They occupied the corner down by the door, between the door and the east window; a corner that was cold in winter and warm in summer; a corner that other classes shunned.
committee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They occupied the corner down by the door, between the door and the east window; a corner that was cold in winter and warm in summer; a corner that other classes shunned.
disapproval
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They occupied the corner down by the door, between the door and the east window; a corner that was cold in winter and warm in summer; a corner that other classes shunned.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They occupied the corner down by the door, between the door and the east window; a corner that was cold in winter and warm in summer; a corner that other classes shunned.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
east
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They occupied the corner down by the door, between the door and the east window; a corner that was cold in winter and warm in summer; a corner that other classes shunned.
executive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps that will give you a hint in regard to Mrs. Jones's class.
giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
heads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
hint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps that will give you a hint in regard to Mrs. Jones's class.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
IFconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
Jones's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
ladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
library
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
locked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They occupied the corner down by the door, between the door and the east window; a corner that was cold in winter and warm in summer; a corner that other classes shunned.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
please
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
regard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
remarking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
rolling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
shaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
shunned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They occupied the corner down by the door, between the door and the east window; a corner that was cold in winter and warm in summer; a corner that other classes shunned.
spasm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
superintendent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They occupied the corner down by the door, between the door and the east window; a corner that was cold in winter and warm in summer; a corner that other classes shunned.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
unwittingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
vote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
warm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They occupied the corner down by the door, between the door and the east window; a corner that was cold in winter and warm in summer; a corner that other classes shunned.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They occupied the corner down by the door, between the door and the east window; a corner that was cold in winter and warm in summer; a corner that other classes shunned.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Then, among those who had looked at each other and shaken their heads in disapproval of such a state of things, were the young ladies in Mrs. Jones's class,—ten of them.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Perhaps that will give you a hint in regard to Mrs. Jones's class.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They occupied the corner down by the door, between the door and the east window; a corner that was cold in winter and warm in summer; a corner that other classes shunned.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They occupied the corner down by the door, between the door and the east window; a corner that was cold in winter and warm in summer; a corner that other classes shunned.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
worth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new superintendent, unwittingly, perhaps, set the ball to rolling, by remarking that the library had been closed and locked by vote of the executive committee of the school, until such time as there were found to be any books worth giving out.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IF you please, now, go back with me to the early summer in which the first spasm of interest in regard to the library took hold of the young people.
