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 She was a widow, middle-aged, thin, prim, and as upright as a dart, and was still able to pride herself on the slimness of her figure.
able
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From this reading She was a widow, middle-aged, thin, prim, and as upright as a dart, and was still able to pride herself on the slimness of her figure.
accept
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From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
accordingly
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From this reading Her peculiarities notwithstanding, she made an excellent housekeeper, and the baronet valued her accordingly.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Her peculiarities notwithstanding, she made an excellent housekeeper, and the baronet valued her accordingly.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was a widow, middle-aged, thin, prim, and as upright as a dart, and was still able to pride herself on the slimness of her figure.
any
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From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She was a widow, middle-aged, thin, prim, and as upright as a dart, and was still able to pride herself on the slimness of her figure.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
baronet
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From this reading Her peculiarities notwithstanding, she made an excellent housekeeper, and the baronet valued her accordingly.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Her manners pertained to what might be termed the severely genteel school.
birth
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From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
Burton
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From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
careful
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From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
Chase
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From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
Clare
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From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
contact
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From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
dart
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From this reading She was a widow, middle-aged, thin, prim, and as upright as a dart, and was still able to pride herself on the slimness of her figure.
death
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From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
DECISION
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From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
early
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From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
everyonepronounUS /ˈevriwʌn/
every person
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
evidently
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From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
excellent
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From this reading Her peculiarities notwithstanding, she made an excellent housekeeper, and the baronet valued her accordingly.
figure
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From this reading She was a widow, middle-aged, thin, prim, and as upright as a dart, and was still able to pride herself on the slimness of her figure.
genteel
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From this reading Her manners pertained to what might be termed the severely genteel school.
Gilbert
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From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
GILBERT'S
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From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
held
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From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was a widow, middle-aged, thin, prim, and as upright as a dart, and was still able to pride herself on the slimness of her figure.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She was a widow, middle-aged, thin, prim, and as upright as a dart, and was still able to pride herself on the slimness of her figure.
history
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From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
housekeeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
impress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
intended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
Lady
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From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
made
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From this reading Her peculiarities notwithstanding, she made an excellent housekeeper, and the baronet valued her accordingly.
manners
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From this reading Her manners pertained to what might be termed the severely genteel school.
middle-aged
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From this reading She was a widow, middle-aged, thin, prim, and as upright as a dart, and was still able to pride herself on the slimness of her figure.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Her manners pertained to what might be termed the severely genteel school.
Mrs
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From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
noticed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
notwithstanding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her peculiarities notwithstanding, she made an excellent housekeeper, and the baronet valued her accordingly.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She was a widow, middle-aged, thin, prim, and as upright as a dart, and was still able to pride herself on the slimness of her figure.
parentage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
particulars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
peculiarities
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From this reading Her peculiarities notwithstanding, she made an excellent housekeeper, and the baronet valued her accordingly.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
pertained
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From this reading Her manners pertained to what might be termed the severely genteel school.
position
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From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
pride
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was a widow, middle-aged, thin, prim, and as upright as a dart, and was still able to pride herself on the slimness of her figure.
prim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was a widow, middle-aged, thin, prim, and as upright as a dart, and was still able to pride herself on the slimness of her figure.
referred
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From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
regard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
reticent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her manners pertained to what might be termed the severely genteel school.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
severely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her manners pertained to what might be termed the severely genteel school.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was a widow, middle-aged, thin, prim, and as upright as a dart, and was still able to pride herself on the slimness of her figure.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
SIR
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From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
slimness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was a widow, middle-aged, thin, prim, and as upright as a dart, and was still able to pride herself on the slimness of her figure.
statement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She was a widow, middle-aged, thin, prim, and as upright as a dart, and was still able to pride herself on the slimness of her figure.
studiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
termed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her manners pertained to what might be termed the severely genteel school.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading She was a widow, middle-aged, thin, prim, and as upright as a dart, and was still able to pride herself on the slimness of her figure.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
unfortified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
upright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was a widow, middle-aged, thin, prim, and as upright as a dart, and was still able to pride herself on the slimness of her figure.
valued
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her peculiarities notwithstanding, she made an excellent housekeeper, and the baronet valued her accordingly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SIR GILBERT’S DECISION The Mrs. Burton referred to by Sir Gilbert was housekeeper at the Chase, having held that position since the death of the second Lady Clare.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Her manners pertained to what might be termed the severely genteel school.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
widow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was a widow, middle-aged, thin, prim, and as upright as a dart, and was still able to pride herself on the slimness of her figure.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading She was careful to impress upon everyone with whom she was brought into contact that she was “a lady by birth,” but it was a statement which she evidently intended people to accept unfortified by any particulars of her parentage and early history, with regard to which, indeed, it was noticed that she was studiously reticent.
