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 in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
action
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From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
audience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
commences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
constancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
derived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
devoted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
drama
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From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
emblem
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From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
existence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
familiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
fidelitynounUS /fɪˈdeləti/
continued loyalty to a person or promise
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
fitness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
flower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
frequently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Rosemary has a peculiarly sweet odour; Rosemary Lane had not.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Rosemary has a peculiarly sweet odour; Rosemary Lane had not.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
heroine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in this locality that our heroine was reared.
humble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
Lane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
locality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Rosemary has a peculiarly sweet odour; Rosemary Lane had not.
odour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosemary has a peculiarly sweet odour; Rosemary Lane had not.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
opens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
overture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
peculiarly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosemary has a peculiarly sweet odour; Rosemary Lane had not.
played
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
proofs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
qualities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
reared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in this locality that our heroine was reared.
recognised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
Rosemary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
shown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
shrub
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
sign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rosemary has a peculiarly sweet odour; Rosemary Lane had not.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was in this locality that our heroine was reared.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
theatre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was in this locality that our heroine was reared.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one sense there was fitness in the name; for as the flower of rosemary has frequently been used as an emblem of constancy and fidelity, so in Rosemary Lane, poor and humble as it was, might be found living proofs of the existence of those qualities.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in a theatre, after the overture is played, the first thing shown to the audience is the scene in which the action of the drama commences, so let our first words be devoted to the locality in which the story opens.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I doubt whether the pretty shrub from which Rosemary Lane derived its name was ever seen in the locality, or whether, being seen, it would have been recognised as a familiar sign.
