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 A fearful affair to the new possessors of Northmoor was the matter of morning calls.
accustomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Vicar was accustomed to be overridden; he was an elderly widower, left solitary in his old age, and of depressed spirits and manner.
affair
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From this reading A fearful affair to the new possessors of Northmoor was the matter of morning calls.
affecting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
age
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From this reading The Vicar was accustomed to be overridden; he was an elderly widower, left solitary in his old age, and of depressed spirits and manner.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Vicar was accustomed to be overridden; he was an elderly widower, left solitary in his old age, and of depressed spirits and manner.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
announced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
appropriate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The first that befell them, as in duty bound, was that from the Vicar.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Vicar was accustomed to be overridden; he was an elderly widower, left solitary in his old age, and of depressed spirits and manner.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
befell
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From this reading The first that befell them, as in duty bound, was that from the Vicar.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
big
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From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first that befell them, as in duty bound, was that from the Vicar.
calls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fearful affair to the new possessors of Northmoor was the matter of morning calls.
chairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
clergy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
depressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Vicar was accustomed to be overridden; he was an elderly widower, left solitary in his old age, and of depressed spirits and manner.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
dreary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading The first that befell them, as in duty bound, was that from the Vicar.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
elderly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Vicar was accustomed to be overridden; he was an elderly widower, left solitary in his old age, and of depressed spirits and manner.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
explore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
fearful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fearful affair to the new possessors of Northmoor was the matter of morning calls.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first that befell them, as in duty bound, was that from the Vicar.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
Frank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The first that befell them, as in duty bound, was that from the Vicar.
frosts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Vicar was accustomed to be overridden; he was an elderly widower, left solitary in his old age, and of depressed spirits and manner.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Vicar was accustomed to be overridden; he was an elderly widower, left solitary in his old age, and of depressed spirits and manner.
hoping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
HoweveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The first that befell them, as in duty bound, was that from the Vicar.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
inhabited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
initiative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
intercourse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Vicar was accustomed to be overridden; he was an elderly widower, left solitary in his old age, and of depressed spirits and manner.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
library
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
limp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
lonely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Vicar was accustomed to be overridden; he was an elderly widower, left solitary in his old age, and of depressed spirits and manner.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fearful affair to the new possessors of Northmoor was the matter of morning calls.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A fearful affair to the new possessors of Northmoor was the matter of morning calls.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fearful affair to the new possessors of Northmoor was the matter of morning calls.
nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/
no person; not anyone
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
Northmoor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fearful affair to the new possessors of Northmoor was the matter of morning calls.
observed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A fearful affair to the new possessors of Northmoor was the matter of morning calls.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Vicar was accustomed to be overridden; he was an elderly widower, left solitary in his old age, and of depressed spirits and manner.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
other's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
overridden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Vicar was accustomed to be overridden; he was an elderly widower, left solitary in his old age, and of depressed spirits and manner.
Park
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
patronised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
peaceably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
possessors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fearful affair to the new possessors of Northmoor was the matter of morning calls.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
relations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
reversed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
shy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
solitary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Vicar was accustomed to be overridden; he was an elderly widower, left solitary in his old age, and of depressed spirits and manner.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
speck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
spirits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Vicar was accustomed to be overridden; he was an elderly widower, left solitary in his old age, and of depressed spirits and manner.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The first that befell them, as in duty bound, was that from the Vicar.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A fearful affair to the new possessors of Northmoor was the matter of morning calls.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The first that befell them, as in duty bound, was that from the Vicar.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A fearful affair to the new possessors of Northmoor was the matter of morning calls.
topic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
touched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
upright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
Vicar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first that befell them, as in duty bound, was that from the Vicar.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A fearful affair to the new possessors of Northmoor was the matter of morning calls.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
widower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Vicar was accustomed to be overridden; he was an elderly widower, left solitary in his old age, and of depressed spirits and manner.
willingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised, he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold, shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting themselves.
Woodman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
writing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were peaceably writing their letters in the library, and hoping soon to go out to explore the Park, when Mr. Woodman was announced, and was found a lonely black speck in the big dreary drawing-room, a very state room, indeed, which nobody had ever willingly inhabited.
