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 Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
ABOUTprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading WHAT SHALL BE DONE ABOUT IT?
afterwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
answer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
BEauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading WHAT SHALL BE DONE ABOUT IT?
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
censure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Prime was desirous that her mother should speak the words of censure that must be spoken.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
consciousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
cottage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She would have preferred herself to remain silent, knowing that she could be as severe in her silence as in her speech, if only her mother would use the occasion as it should be used.
desirousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪərəs/
having a strong wish to do or obtain something
From this reading Mrs. Prime was desirous that her mother should speak the words of censure that must be spoken.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
Dolly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
DONEnounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading WHAT SHALL BE DONE ABOUT IT?
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She would have preferred herself to remain silent, knowing that she could be as severe in her silence as in her speech, if only her mother would use the occasion as it should be used.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She would have preferred herself to remain silent, knowing that she could be as severe in her silence as in her speech, if only her mother would use the occasion as it should be used.
immediate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
ITpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading WHAT SHALL BE DONE ABOUT IT?
joking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
knowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would have preferred herself to remain silent, knowing that she could be as severe in her silence as in her speech, if only her mother would use the occasion as it should be used.
Luke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Prime was desirous that her mother should speak the words of censure that must be spoken.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Prime was desirous that her mother should speak the words of censure that must be spoken.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Mrs. Prime was desirous that her mother should speak the words of censure that must be spoken.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
note
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
notes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
objurgation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would have preferred herself to remain silent, knowing that she could be as severe in her silence as in her speech, if only her mother would use the occasion as it should be used.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
Oh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would have preferred herself to remain silent, knowing that she could be as severe in her silence as in her speech, if only her mother would use the occasion as it should be used.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
preferred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would have preferred herself to remain silent, knowing that she could be as severe in her silence as in her speech, if only her mother would use the occasion as it should be used.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
Prime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Prime was desirous that her mother should speak the words of censure that must be spoken.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
Rachel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
remain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would have preferred herself to remain silent, knowing that she could be as severe in her silence as in her speech, if only her mother would use the occasion as it should be used.
Rowan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
severe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
SHALLmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading WHAT SHALL BE DONE ABOUT IT?
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Mrs. Prime was desirous that her mother should speak the words of censure that must be spoken.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading She would have preferred herself to remain silent, knowing that she could be as severe in her silence as in her speech, if only her mother would use the occasion as it should be used.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would have preferred herself to remain silent, knowing that she could be as severe in her silence as in her speech, if only her mother would use the occasion as it should be used.
sister's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
speech
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would have preferred herself to remain silent, knowing that she could be as severe in her silence as in her speech, if only her mother would use the occasion as it should be used.
spoken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Prime was desirous that her mother should speak the words of censure that must be spoken.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
stop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
terriblenounUS /ˈterrible/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
tone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
unable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would have preferred herself to remain silent, knowing that she could be as severe in her silence as in her speech, if only her mother would use the occasion as it should be used.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would have preferred herself to remain silent, knowing that she could be as severe in her silence as in her speech, if only her mother would use the occasion as it should be used.
utterednounUS /ˈuttered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
WHATpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading WHAT SHALL BE DONE ABOUT IT?
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Rachel was still thinking of Luke Rowan and of the man's arm when she opened the cottage door, but the sight of her sister's face, and the tone of her sister's voice, soon brought her back to a full consciousness of her immediate present position.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Prime was desirous that her mother should speak the words of censure that must be spoken.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She would have preferred herself to remain silent, knowing that she could be as severe in her silence as in her speech, if only her mother would use the occasion as it should be used.
would-be
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, Dolly, do not speak with that terrible voice, as though the world were coming to an end," she said, in answer to the first note of objurgation that was uttered; but the notes that came afterwards were so much more terrible, so much more severe, that Rachel found herself quite unable to stop them by any would-be joking tone.
