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 Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
acquiesced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
Alicia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
Alwynne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alicia was flatteringly in need of her help for the Easter church decorations, and how could Alwynne refuse?
Alwynne's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clare's letters were getting impatient--Clare was wanting her back.
bazaar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean was in the thick of preparations for the bazaar: Alwynne's quick wits and clever fingers were not to be dispensed with.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Jean was in the thick of preparations for the bazaar: Alwynne's quick wits and clever fingers were not to be dispensed with.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
betrayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
church
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alicia was flatteringly in need of her help for the Easter church decorations, and how could Alwynne refuse?
Clare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
Clare's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clare's letters were getting impatient--Clare was wanting her back.
clever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean was in the thick of preparations for the bazaar: Alwynne's quick wits and clever fingers were not to be dispensed with.
considered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Alicia was flatteringly in need of her help for the Easter church decorations, and how could Alwynne refuse?
decorations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alicia was flatteringly in need of her help for the Easter church decorations, and how could Alwynne refuse?
delay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
dispensed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean was in the thick of preparations for the bazaar: Alwynne's quick wits and clever fingers were not to be dispensed with.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
eagerly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
Easter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alicia was flatteringly in need of her help for the Easter church decorations, and how could Alwynne refuse?
Elsbeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
excuse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
fingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean was in the thick of preparations for the bazaar: Alwynne's quick wits and clever fingers were not to be dispensed with.
flatteringly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alicia was flatteringly in need of her help for the Easter church decorations, and how could Alwynne refuse?
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Alicia was flatteringly in need of her help for the Easter church decorations, and how could Alwynne refuse?
getting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clare's letters were getting impatient--Clare was wanting her back.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Alicia was flatteringly in need of her help for the Easter church decorations, and how could Alwynne refuse?
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
impatient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clare's letters were getting impatient--Clare was wanting her back.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
Jean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
meeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
mothers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Alicia was flatteringly in need of her help for the Easter church decorations, and how could Alwynne refuse?
nervous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Jean was in the thick of preparations for the bazaar: Alwynne's quick wits and clever fingers were not to be dispensed with.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Alicia was flatteringly in need of her help for the Easter church decorations, and how could Alwynne refuse?
preparations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean was in the thick of preparations for the bazaar: Alwynne's quick wits and clever fingers were not to be dispensed with.
prolonged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
quick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean was in the thick of preparations for the bazaar: Alwynne's quick wits and clever fingers were not to be dispensed with.
reasonable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
refuse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alicia was flatteringly in need of her help for the Easter church decorations, and how could Alwynne refuse?
Roger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
sedate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Alicia was flatteringly in need of her help for the Easter church decorations, and how could Alwynne refuse?
thick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean was in the thick of preparations for the bazaar: Alwynne's quick wits and clever fingers were not to be dispensed with.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Jean was in the thick of preparations for the bazaar: Alwynne's quick wits and clever fingers were not to be dispensed with.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
visit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alwynne's visit had been prolonged in turn by Alicia, Jean and Roger; and Elsbeth had acquiesced--her sedate letters never betrayed how eagerly--in each delay.
wanting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clare's letters were getting impatient--Clare was wanting her back.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Alicia was flatteringly in need of her help for the Easter church decorations, and how could Alwynne refuse?
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Jean was in the thick of preparations for the bazaar: Alwynne's quick wits and clever fingers were not to be dispensed with.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Jean was in the thick of preparations for the bazaar: Alwynne's quick wits and clever fingers were not to be dispensed with.
wits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean was in the thick of preparations for the bazaar: Alwynne's quick wits and clever fingers were not to be dispensed with.
wonderednounUS /wondered/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Alwynne wondered what Clare would say to her interest in a bazaar and a mothers' meeting, and was a little nervous that it would be considered anything but a reasonable excuse for yet another delay.
