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 Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
accompanied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
ago
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From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
Ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
American
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
approaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
attracted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
bowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
Countess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
countesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gemma was speaking of you only the other day, and wondered if you had deserted Italy entirely."
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
left a place or vessel without intending to return
From this reading Gemma was speaking of you only the other day, and wondered if you had deserted Italy entirely."
drawing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
elderly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Gemma was speaking of you only the other day, and wondered if you had deserted Italy entirely."
fashion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
fellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
Gemma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
hat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
heels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Gemma was speaking of you only the other day, and wondered if you had deserted Italy entirely."
impoverishedadjectiveUS /ɪmˈpɒv.ər.ɪʃt/
Reduced to poverty; having very little money or resources.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
instantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Why, this is a surprise!
Italian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
Italy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
Leaf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
married
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
merrily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
Moltedo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gemma was speaking of you only the other day, and wondered if you had deserted Italy entirely."
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
purse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
recognised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
removed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
replenish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
seventeen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
Signor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
slim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
speaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gemma was speaking of you only the other day, and wondered if you had deserted Italy entirely."
stout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
SuddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why, this is a surprise!
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Why, this is a surprise!
title
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why, this is a surprise!
wonderednounUS /wondered/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gemma was speaking of you only the other day, and wondered if you had deserted Italy entirely."
worthless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Gemma was speaking of you only the other day, and wondered if you had deserted Italy entirely."
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
