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 COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
accept
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From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
accepted
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From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
alliance
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From this reading Each of us has reason to regret an alliance which has caused us so much suffering.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Each of us has reason to regret an alliance which has caused us so much suffering.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Unfortunately for our happiness and our peace of mind the truth has been spoken too late; but it were idle now to waste time in lamentations.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
avert
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From this reading It was in your power to avert it; you did not do so, but led me blindly into the whirlpool.
averted
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From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Unfortunately for our happiness and our peace of mind the truth has been spoken too late; but it were idle now to waste time in lamentations.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
bitter
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From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
blindly
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From this reading It was in your power to avert it; you did not do so, but led me blindly into the whirlpool.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Unfortunately for our happiness and our peace of mind the truth has been spoken too late; but it were idle now to waste time in lamentations.
calamity
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From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
caused
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From this reading Each of us has reason to regret an alliance which has caused us so much suffering.
certain
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From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
COMPACT
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From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It was in your power to avert it; you did not do so, but led me blindly into the whirlpool.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It was in your power to avert it; you did not do so, but led me blindly into the whirlpool.
EachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Each of us has reason to regret an alliance which has caused us so much suffering.
explanation
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From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
fallen
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From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
family
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From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
given
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From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
happiness
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From this reading Unfortunately for our happiness and our peace of mind the truth has been spoken too late; but it were idle now to waste time in lamentations.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Each of us has reason to regret an alliance which has caused us so much suffering.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
idle
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From this reading Unfortunately for our happiness and our peace of mind the truth has been spoken too late; but it were idle now to waste time in lamentations.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was in your power to avert it; you did not do so, but led me blindly into the whirlpool.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
lamentations
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From this reading Unfortunately for our happiness and our peace of mind the truth has been spoken too late; but it were idle now to waste time in lamentations.
late
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From this reading Unfortunately for our happiness and our peace of mind the truth has been spoken too late; but it were idle now to waste time in lamentations.
led
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From this reading It was in your power to avert it; you did not do so, but led me blindly into the whirlpool.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
light
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From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
madame
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From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
marriage
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From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
member
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Unfortunately for our happiness and our peace of mind the truth has been spoken too late; but it were idle now to waste time in lamentations.
most
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From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
much
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From this reading Each of us has reason to regret an alliance which has caused us so much suffering.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was in your power to avert it; you did not do so, but led me blindly into the whirlpool.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately for our happiness and our peace of mind the truth has been spoken too late; but it were idle now to waste time in lamentations.
occurrences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Unfortunately for our happiness and our peace of mind the truth has been spoken too late; but it were idle now to waste time in lamentations.
peace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately for our happiness and our peace of mind the truth has been spoken too late; but it were idle now to waste time in lamentations.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in your power to avert it; you did not do so, but led me blindly into the whirlpool.
presently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each of us has reason to regret an alliance which has caused us so much suffering.
regret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each of us has reason to regret an alliance which has caused us so much suffering.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Each of us has reason to regret an alliance which has caused us so much suffering.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
spoken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately for our happiness and our peace of mind the truth has been spoken too late; but it were idle now to waste time in lamentations.
suffering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each of us has reason to regret an alliance which has caused us so much suffering.
surely
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From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Unfortunately for our happiness and our peace of mind the truth has been spoken too late; but it were idle now to waste time in lamentations.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Each of us has reason to regret an alliance which has caused us so much suffering.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately for our happiness and our peace of mind the truth has been spoken too late; but it were idle now to waste time in lamentations.
trials
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately for our happiness and our peace of mind the truth has been spoken too late; but it were idle now to waste time in lamentations.
Unfortunately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately for our happiness and our peace of mind the truth has been spoken too late; but it were idle now to waste time in lamentations.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Each of us has reason to regret an alliance which has caused us so much suffering.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
wastenounUS /weɪst/
an empty, uncultivated area of land
From this reading Unfortunately for our happiness and our peace of mind the truth has been spoken too late; but it were idle now to waste time in lamentations.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Unfortunately for our happiness and our peace of mind the truth has been spoken too late; but it were idle now to waste time in lamentations.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
whirlpool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in your power to avert it; you did not do so, but led me blindly into the whirlpool.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There are in life certain bitter trials which must be accepted; in that light I accept the calamity which has fallen upon us, and which, had I known before our marriage what I know now, would most surely have been averted.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading THE COMPACT "You sent for me, madame,' he said presently, 'because it was necessary that some explanation should be given of the occurrences that have taken place in my family, of which you are a member.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading It was in your power to avert it; you did not do so, but led me blindly into the whirlpool.
