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 A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was gathering a sheaf of long-stalked May-flowering tulips as Humphrey pushed open the gate leading from the park, and came in.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had to make another effort to avert such ruin and disgrace as would overwhelm him utterly, and make the rest of his life a burden and a reproach.
appeal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She was gathering a sheaf of long-stalked May-flowering tulips as Humphrey pushed open the gate leading from the park, and came in.
avert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had to make another effort to avert such ruin and disgrace as would overwhelm him utterly, and make the rest of his life a burden and a reproach.
bearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The sun was setting behind the tall elms that bordered the garden of the Dower House.
blow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
bordered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun was setting behind the tall elms that bordered the garden of the Dower House.
burden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had to make another effort to avert such ruin and disgrace as would overwhelm him utterly, and make the rest of his life a burden and a reproach.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was gathering a sheaf of long-stalked May-flowering tulips as Humphrey pushed open the gate leading from the park, and came in.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
dealt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
disappointmentnounUS /ˈdisappointment/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
disgracenounUS /dɪsˈɡreɪs/
shame caused by unacceptable behaviour
From this reading He had to make another effort to avert such ruin and disgrace as would overwhelm him utterly, and make the rest of his life a burden and a reproach.
Dower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
effort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had to make another effort to avert such ruin and disgrace as would overwhelm him utterly, and make the rest of his life a burden and a reproach.
elms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun was setting behind the tall elms that bordered the garden of the Dower House.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She was gathering a sheaf of long-stalked May-flowering tulips as Humphrey pushed open the gate leading from the park, and came in.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was gathering a sheaf of long-stalked May-flowering tulips as Humphrey pushed open the gate leading from the park, and came in.
gathering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was gathering a sheaf of long-stalked May-flowering tulips as Humphrey pushed open the gate leading from the park, and came in.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
HELPnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
House
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
Humphrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was gathering a sheaf of long-stalked May-flowering tulips as Humphrey pushed open the gate leading from the park, and came in.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
leading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was gathering a sheaf of long-stalked May-flowering tulips as Humphrey pushed open the gate leading from the park, and came in.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had to make another effort to avert such ruin and disgrace as would overwhelm him utterly, and make the rest of his life a burden and a reproach.
long-stalked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was gathering a sheaf of long-stalked May-flowering tulips as Humphrey pushed open the gate leading from the park, and came in.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had to make another effort to avert such ruin and disgrace as would overwhelm him utterly, and make the rest of his life a burden and a reproach.
May-flowering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was gathering a sheaf of long-stalked May-flowering tulips as Humphrey pushed open the gate leading from the park, and came in.
natural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
old-fashioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading She was gathering a sheaf of long-stalked May-flowering tulips as Humphrey pushed open the gate leading from the park, and came in.
overwhelm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had to make another effort to avert such ruin and disgrace as would overwhelm him utterly, and make the rest of his life a burden and a reproach.
park
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was gathering a sheaf of long-stalked May-flowering tulips as Humphrey pushed open the gate leading from the park, and came in.
PRESENT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
pushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was gathering a sheaf of long-stalked May-flowering tulips as Humphrey pushed open the gate leading from the park, and came in.
refresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
reproach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had to make another effort to avert such ruin and disgrace as would overwhelm him utterly, and make the rest of his life a burden and a reproach.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had to make another effort to avert such ruin and disgrace as would overwhelm him utterly, and make the rest of his life a burden and a reproach.
retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/
went away to a private place
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
ruin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had to make another effort to avert such ruin and disgrace as would overwhelm him utterly, and make the rest of his life a burden and a reproach.
schooled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
setting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun was setting behind the tall elms that bordered the garden of the Dower House.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was gathering a sheaf of long-stalked May-flowering tulips as Humphrey pushed open the gate leading from the park, and came in.
sheaf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was gathering a sheaf of long-stalked May-flowering tulips as Humphrey pushed open the gate leading from the park, and came in.
showing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
signs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He had to make another effort to avert such ruin and disgrace as would overwhelm him utterly, and make the rest of his life a burden and a reproach.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun was setting behind the tall elms that bordered the garden of the Dower House.
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun was setting behind the tall elms that bordered the garden of the Dower House.
terriblenounUS /ˈterrible/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
tulips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was gathering a sheaf of long-stalked May-flowering tulips as Humphrey pushed open the gate leading from the park, and came in.
utterly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had to make another effort to avert such ruin and disgrace as would overwhelm him utterly, and make the rest of his life a burden and a reproach.
VERY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
Virginia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
walking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not able to keep all signs of the terrible blow that had been dealt him, and the disappointment that had come of the appeal he had just made to his father, from showing on his face; but he had schooled himself, walking across the park, to a natural bearing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A VERY PRESENT HELP Virginia among her flowers, in the sweet, old-fashioned retired garden of the Dower House was a sight to refresh the eyes.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had to make another effort to avert such ruin and disgrace as would overwhelm him utterly, and make the rest of his life a burden and a reproach.
