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 When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
account
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From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He went across to the couple on the sofa.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
anxiety
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From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
anxious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
apparently
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From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
ask
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From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
aware
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From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
Betty
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From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
came
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From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
community
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading He went across to the couple on the sofa.
defining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
departure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/
having firmly decided to do something
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
dining-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
engaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
entertaining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
excused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
explanations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
glance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
grave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
Gregory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
guardian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
illness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
interchange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
irked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
Karen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
Karen's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
Madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
Marwitz's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
obliged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
Only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
photographs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
questions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
showing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
shut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
significance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
simplicity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
situation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
sofa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
swift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
understanding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
von
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He went across to the couple on the sofa.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
