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 Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
battered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
blows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
brain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
catastrophe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
crash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
danced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
dancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
DEMAND
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
destruction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
devise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
dog
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
ears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
false
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
frame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
George
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
grinding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
hears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
joy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
mill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
Neck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
pandemonium
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
peace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
plan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
played
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
rejoiced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
runs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
sick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
Stiff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
Virginia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
whereby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
WhetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
Wiley's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
worthyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːr.ði/
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
Yes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
