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 As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
actually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
alive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
battle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
betrothed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
brother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
Carl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.
catastrophe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
category
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
contingency
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
dearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
defender
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.
elapsed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
enforced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
ereconjunctionUS /er/
an old word for “before”
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
ERNESTINE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ERNESTINE.
event
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
Frankfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
German
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
happen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
Heinrich
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.
horrible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
household
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.
ignominy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
inexplicablenounUS /inexplicable/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
loved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.
lover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
outright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.
papers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
peculiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.
prisoner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
probable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
prostrated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
reader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
realized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
recorded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
recover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
roasted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.
shock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
skirmish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
slain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
speculations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
stated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
suffer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
untoprepositionUS /ˈʌntuː/
an old word for “to”
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.
utterly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.
viewed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She loved her only brother dearly, and all the more dearly that he was the friend and defender of her lover Carl--her betrothed husband, for as such she always viewed him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading As the reader may suppose, some time elapsed ere the quiet little household at Frankfort realized--they could not for long recover from--the catastrophe recorded by the German papers; but when it was actually stated that a prisoner taken in a skirmish, a captain, was roasted alive, nothing seemed too horrible to happen now.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole family were utterly prostrated by an event so inexplicable, and Ernestine felt the shock in her own peculiar way.
wounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Heinrich might be wounded unto death, or slain outright in battle, seemed but a too probable contingency; but that he should be taken prisoner, and suffer an end of such enforced ignominy, was beyond the category of all their speculations.