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 “And hadn’t she any children—hadn’t she a little boy?”
afraid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
allow
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From this reading He must know they didn’t allow babies in prisons.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “And hadn’t she any children—hadn’t she a little boy?”
any
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From this reading “And hadn’t she any children—hadn’t she a little boy?”
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
babies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must know they didn’t allow babies in prisons.
baby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading To this Hyacinth rejoined that of course they would allow him, because he was—really—big.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
believed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
beneficent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this Hyacinth rejoined that of course they would allow him, because he was—really—big.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And hadn’t she any children—hadn’t she a little boy?”
bravely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And hadn’t she any children—hadn’t she a little boy?”
comfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
completely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To this Hyacinth rejoined that of course they would allow him, because he was—really—big.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must know they didn’t allow babies in prisons.
embarrassments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
escaped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
fortified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
fruits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
future
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And hadn’t she any children—hadn’t she a little boy?”
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He must know they didn’t allow babies in prisons.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To this Hyacinth rejoined that of course they would allow him, because he was—really—big.
Hyacinth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this Hyacinth rejoined that of course they would allow him, because he was—really—big.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He must know they didn’t allow babies in prisons.
inquiry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
interview
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He must know they didn’t allow babies in prisons.
knowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
law
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “And hadn’t she any children—hadn’t she a little boy?”
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He must know they didn’t allow babies in prisons.
Newgate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
ordeal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
pilgrimage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
portent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
prisons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must know they didn’t allow babies in prisons.
Pynsent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this Hyacinth rejoined that of course they would allow him, because he was—really—big.
rejoinednounUS /ˈrejoined/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading To this Hyacinth rejoined that of course they would allow him, because he was—really—big.
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “And hadn’t she any children—hadn’t she a little boy?”
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He must know they didn’t allow babies in prisons.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
upwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
victim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To this Hyacinth rejoined that of course they would allow him, because he was—really—big.
wretched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This inquiry seemed to Miss Pynsent a portent of future embarrassments, but she met it as bravely as she could, and replied that she believed the wretched victim of the law had had (once upon a time) a very small baby, but she was afraid she had completely lost sight of it.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Pynsent fortified herself with the memory of her other pilgrimage, to Newgate, upwards of ten years before; she had escaped from that ordeal, and had even had the comfort of knowing that in its fruits the interview had been beneficent.
