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 Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
afraid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Jimmy and Christine travelled to London at opposite ends of the carriage.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
asleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Jimmy and Christine travelled to London at opposite ends of the carriage.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
bought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
carriage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy and Christine travelled to London at opposite ends of the carriage.
Christine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy and Christine travelled to London at opposite ends of the carriage.
cigarette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
comfortable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
diligently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christine turned the pages of her magazines diligently, though it is doubtful if she read a word or saw a single picture.
disinclined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
doubtful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christine turned the pages of her magazines diligently, though it is doubtful if she read a word or saw a single picture.
durance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
dying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
ends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy and Christine travelled to London at opposite ends of the carriage.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
finally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
folded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Christine turned the pages of her magazines diligently, though it is doubtful if she read a word or saw a single picture.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Christine turned the pages of her magazines diligently, though it is doubtful if she read a word or saw a single picture.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
Jimmy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy and Christine travelled to London at opposite ends of the carriage.
journeynounUS /ˈjourney/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
LATE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TOO LATE!
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy and Christine travelled to London at opposite ends of the carriage.
magazines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
mild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Jimmy and Christine travelled to London at opposite ends of the carriage.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
opposite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy and Christine travelled to London at opposite ends of the carriage.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Christine turned the pages of her magazines diligently, though it is doubtful if she read a word or saw a single picture.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
pages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christine turned the pages of her magazines diligently, though it is doubtful if she read a word or saw a single picture.
papers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
permission
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
picture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christine turned the pages of her magazines diligently, though it is doubtful if she read a word or saw a single picture.
possibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
pretended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/
went away to a private place
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
rightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
rug
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christine turned the pages of her magazines diligently, though it is doubtful if she read a word or saw a single picture.
seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christine turned the pages of her magazines diligently, though it is doubtful if she read a word or saw a single picture.
smoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
soul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
sped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Jimmy and Christine travelled to London at opposite ends of the carriage.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Jimmy and Christine travelled to London at opposite ends of the carriage.
TOO
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TOO LATE!
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
travelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy and Christine travelled to London at opposite ends of the carriage.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christine turned the pages of her magazines diligently, though it is doubtful if she read a word or saw a single picture.
twice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
vile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christine turned the pages of her magazines diligently, though it is doubtful if she read a word or saw a single picture.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was dying for a smoke, he would have given his soul for a cigarette, but he was afraid to ask for permission, so he sat there in durance vile with his arms folded rightly and his eyes half closed, while the train sped on through the night towards London.
wrapped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmy had done his best to make his wife comfortable, he had wrapped a rug round her though it was a mild night, he had bought more papers and magazines than she could possibly read on a journey of twice the length, and seeing that she was disinclined to talk, he had finally retired to the other end of the carriage and pretended to be asleep.
