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 The Emperor's commands had come upon the peaceful little house as a whirlwind comes on a heap of leaves.
act
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
advent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sabina's advent had chased all good spirits from the palace at Lochias.
all
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From this reading Sabina's advent had chased all good spirits from the palace at Lochias.
allowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
appointed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Emperor's commands had come upon the peaceful little house as a whirlwind comes on a heap of leaves.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Sabina's advent had chased all good spirits from the palace at Lochias.
Aye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aye, truly!
baskets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
beds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
bewailing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
bird-cages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
briskly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
carefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
chased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sabina's advent had chased all good spirits from the palace at Lochias.
circumspection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
clothes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Emperor's commands had come upon the peaceful little house as a whirlwind comes on a heap of leaves.
comes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Emperor's commands had come upon the peaceful little house as a whirlwind comes on a heap of leaves.
commands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Emperor's commands had come upon the peaceful little house as a whirlwind comes on a heap of leaves.
confusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/
an open area surrounded by the walls of a building
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
cushions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
Doris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
Emperor's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Emperor's commands had come upon the peaceful little house as a whirlwind comes on a heap of leaves.
employing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
emptying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Sabina's advent had chased all good spirits from the palace at Lochias.
fully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Sabina's advent had chased all good spirits from the palace at Lochias.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Sabina's advent had chased all good spirits from the palace at Lochias.
heap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Emperor's commands had come upon the peaceful little house as a whirlwind comes on a heap of leaves.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Emperor's commands had come upon the peaceful little house as a whirlwind comes on a heap of leaves.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
inhabitants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
kitchen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
leaves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Emperor's commands had come upon the peaceful little house as a whirlwind comes on a heap of leaves.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Emperor's commands had come upon the peaceful little house as a whirlwind comes on a heap of leaves.
Lochias
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sabina's advent had chased all good spirits from the palace at Lochias.
lutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
Mastor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
misfortune
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
move
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Emperor's commands had come upon the peaceful little house as a whirlwind comes on a heap of leaves.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Emperor's commands had come upon the peaceful little house as a whirlwind comes on a heap of leaves.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
palace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sabina's advent had chased all good spirits from the palace at Lochias.
peaceful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Emperor's commands had come upon the peaceful little house as a whirlwind comes on a heap of leaves.
piled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
plants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
realize
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
Sabina's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sabina's advent had chased all good spirits from the palace at Lochias.
seats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
slaves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
spirits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sabina's advent had chased all good spirits from the palace at Lochias.
tables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
task
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Sabina's advent had chased all good spirits from the palace at Lochias.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
truly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aye, truly!
trunks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The Emperor's commands had come upon the peaceful little house as a whirlwind comes on a heap of leaves.
utensils
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tables, seats, cushions, beds and lutes, the baskets, plants, and bird-cages, the kitchen utensils and the trunks with their clothes were all piled in confusion in the courtyard, and Doris was employing the slaves appointed by Mastor in the task of emptying the house, as briskly and carefully as though it was nothing more than a move from one house to another.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
whirlwind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Emperor's commands had come upon the peaceful little house as a whirlwind comes on a heap of leaves.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The inhabitants were not even allowed time fully to realize their misfortune, for instead of bewailing themselves all they could do was to act with circumspection.
