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 More and more the possibility that she might still have a mother living became a dominant factor in her thoughts.
acknowledging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And might not the same or other reasons still have force enough to keep her from acknowledging her daughter, or even allowing the fact of her own existence to become known?
adoption
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
allowing
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From this reading And might not the same or other reasons still have force enough to keep her from acknowledging her daughter, or even allowing the fact of her own existence to become known?
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Might there not have been a score of different reasons, she asked herself, why this mother should have been compelled to put her child out among strangers?
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Might there not have been a score of different reasons, she asked herself, why this mother should have been compelled to put her child out among strangers?
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
baffled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More and more the possibility that she might still have a mother living became a dominant factor in her thoughts.
become
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From this reading And might not the same or other reasons still have force enough to keep her from acknowledging her daughter, or even allowing the fact of her own existence to become known?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Might there not have been a score of different reasons, she asked herself, why this mother should have been compelled to put her child out among strangers?
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
birth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
challenging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Might there not have been a score of different reasons, she asked herself, why this mother should have been compelled to put her child out among strangers?
CLEMENT'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CLEMENT'S QUEST.
compelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Might there not have been a score of different reasons, she asked herself, why this mother should have been compelled to put her child out among strangers?
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And might not the same or other reasons still have force enough to keep her from acknowledging her daughter, or even allowing the fact of her own existence to become known?
differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Might there not have been a score of different reasons, she asked herself, why this mother should have been compelled to put her child out among strangers?
disheartened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
dominant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More and more the possibility that she might still have a mother living became a dominant factor in her thoughts.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And might not the same or other reasons still have force enough to keep her from acknowledging her daughter, or even allowing the fact of her own existence to become known?
enshrouded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And might not the same or other reasons still have force enough to keep her from acknowledging her daughter, or even allowing the fact of her own existence to become known?
existence
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From this reading And might not the same or other reasons still have force enough to keep her from acknowledging her daughter, or even allowing the fact of her own existence to become known?
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And might not the same or other reasons still have force enough to keep her from acknowledging her daughter, or even allowing the fact of her own existence to become known?
factor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More and more the possibility that she might still have a mother living became a dominant factor in her thoughts.
finding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
force
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And might not the same or other reasons still have force enough to keep her from acknowledging her daughter, or even allowing the fact of her own existence to become known?
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading More and more the possibility that she might still have a mother living became a dominant factor in her thoughts.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
Hermia's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Might there not have been a score of different reasons, she asked herself, why this mother should have been compelled to put her child out among strangers?
hidden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading More and more the possibility that she might still have a mother living became a dominant factor in her thoughts.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And might not the same or other reasons still have force enough to keep her from acknowledging her daughter, or even allowing the fact of her own existence to become known?
key
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And might not the same or other reasons still have force enough to keep her from acknowledging her daughter, or even allowing the fact of her own existence to become known?
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More and more the possibility that she might still have a mother living became a dominant factor in her thoughts.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading More and more the possibility that she might still have a mother living became a dominant factor in her thoughts.
More
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More and more the possibility that she might still have a mother living became a dominant factor in her thoughts.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More and more the possibility that she might still have a mother living became a dominant factor in her thoughts.
mystery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
natural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
nearer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Might there not have been a score of different reasons, she asked herself, why this mother should have been compelled to put her child out among strangers?
number
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading And might not the same or other reasons still have force enough to keep her from acknowledging her daughter, or even allowing the fact of her own existence to become known?
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And might not the same or other reasons still have force enough to keep her from acknowledging her daughter, or even allowing the fact of her own existence to become known?
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Might there not have been a score of different reasons, she asked herself, why this mother should have been compelled to put her child out among strangers?
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And might not the same or other reasons still have force enough to keep her from acknowledging her daughter, or even allowing the fact of her own existence to become known?
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
possibility
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More and more the possibility that she might still have a mother living became a dominant factor in her thoughts.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Might there not have been a score of different reasons, she asked herself, why this mother should have been compelled to put her child out among strangers?
QUEST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CLEMENT'S QUEST.
reasonsnounUS /ˈreasons/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Might there not have been a score of different reasons, she asked herself, why this mother should have been compelled to put her child out among strangers?
revealed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
revert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And might not the same or other reasons still have force enough to keep her from acknowledging her daughter, or even allowing the fact of her own existence to become known?
scorenounUS /score/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Might there not have been a score of different reasons, she asked herself, why this mother should have been compelled to put her child out among strangers?
seeming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading More and more the possibility that she might still have a mother living became a dominant factor in her thoughts.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
strangers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Might there not have been a score of different reasons, she asked herself, why this mother should have been compelled to put her child out among strangers?
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Might there not have been a score of different reasons, she asked herself, why this mother should have been compelled to put her child out among strangers?
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Might there not have been a score of different reasons, she asked herself, why this mother should have been compelled to put her child out among strangers?
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
Uncle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Might there not have been a score of different reasons, she asked herself, why this mother should have been compelled to put her child out among strangers?
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural that Hermia's thoughts, since "Uncle John" had revealed to her the story of her adoption, should revert times without number to the mystery which enshrouded her birth and early years, challenging it first from one point of view and then from another, but only to give it up at last baffled and disheartened, and still, to all seeming, no nearer than before to finding the hidden key.
