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 She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
adopted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was at once adopted as playmate by two of my sisters, her own age, with whom she was educated and brought up.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was at once adopted as playmate by two of my sisters, her own age, with whom she was educated and brought up.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
assisting
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From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She could scarcely be called pretty; but she was tall and shapely, had black eyes, and hair down to her knees.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
black
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From this reading She could scarcely be called pretty; but she was tall and shapely, had black eyes, and hair down to her knees.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She was at once adopted as playmate by two of my sisters, her own age, with whom she was educated and brought up.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She could scarcely be called pretty; but she was tall and shapely, had black eyes, and hair down to her knees.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She was at once adopted as playmate by two of my sisters, her own age, with whom she was educated and brought up.
called
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From this reading She could scarcely be called pretty; but she was tall and shapely, had black eyes, and hair down to her knees.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
cast
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From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
consisted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She could scarcely be called pretty; but she was tall and shapely, had black eyes, and hair down to her knees.
deal
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From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
dispositionnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/
the way something is arranged or positioned
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
down
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From this reading She could scarcely be called pretty; but she was tall and shapely, had black eyes, and hair down to her knees.
educated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was at once adopted as playmate by two of my sisters, her own age, with whom she was educated and brought up.
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
eighteen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
equals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could scarcely be called pretty; but she was tall and shapely, had black eyes, and hair down to her knees.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
father's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
gentle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
greatest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could scarcely be called pretty; but she was tall and shapely, had black eyes, and hair down to her knees.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
knees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could scarcely be called pretty; but she was tall and shapely, had black eyes, and hair down to her knees.
learnt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
members
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
nursing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
older
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was at once adopted as playmate by two of my sisters, her own age, with whom she was educated and brought up.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
outgrown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was at once adopted as playmate by two of my sisters, her own age, with whom she was educated and brought up.
patient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
playmate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was at once adopted as playmate by two of my sisters, her own age, with whom she was educated and brought up.
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
possession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
prayers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could scarcely be called pretty; but she was tall and shapely, had black eyes, and hair down to her knees.
probably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
raised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/
To recall to mind.
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
rule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could scarcely be called pretty; but she was tall and shapely, had black eyes, and hair down to her knees.
schooling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
seven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
shapely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could scarcely be called pretty; but she was tall and shapely, had black eyes, and hair down to her knees.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
sick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
sisters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was at once adopted as playmate by two of my sisters, her own age, with whom she was educated and brought up.
sixteen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could scarcely be called pretty; but she was tall and shapely, had black eyes, and hair down to her knees.
tasteverbUS /teɪst/
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
tender
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
Together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
tooth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was at once adopted as playmate by two of my sisters, her own age, with whom she was educated and brought up.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was at once adopted as playmate by two of my sisters, her own age, with whom she was educated and brought up.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was at once adopted as playmate by two of my sisters, her own age, with whom she was educated and brought up.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of a very gentle disposition, her greatest pleasure consisted in assisting other people, in looking after and nursing any sick person in the house; and I well remember her going about with her books from one patient to another, reading prayers to them.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Together with them she learnt to read, which raised her a good deal above her equals, who, as a rule, became members of our family at the age of sixteen or eighteen years, or older still, when they had outgrown whatever taste they might once have had for schooling.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She was at once adopted as playmate by two of my sisters, her own age, with whom she was educated and brought up.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading She was at once adopted as playmate by two of my sisters, her own age, with whom she was educated and brought up.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She came into my father's possession when quite a child, probably at the tender age of seven or eight years, as she cast her first tooth in our house.
