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 Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
accidentally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By some means the shawl in question had accidentally become entangled--or perhaps been strained by the sudden uplifting of the arm of the wearer.
AlreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By some means the shawl in question had accidentally become entangled--or perhaps been strained by the sudden uplifting of the arm of the wearer.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
ascertained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
asunder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By some means the shawl in question had accidentally become entangled--or perhaps been strained by the sudden uplifting of the arm of the wearer.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading By some means the shawl in question had accidentally become entangled--or perhaps been strained by the sudden uplifting of the arm of the wearer.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
break
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
carefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
Chenille
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
contact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
cord
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
dumfounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The revelation held me utterly dumfounded.
entangled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By some means the shawl in question had accidentally become entangled--or perhaps been strained by the sudden uplifting of the arm of the wearer.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/
Strictly particular and correct.
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
fabric
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
floss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
fragmentnounUS /ˈfræɡ.mənt/
A small part broken or separated off something larger.
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
fringe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
generally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
handled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The revelation held me utterly dumfounded.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
knotted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
knows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
lightly-made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The revelation held me utterly dumfounded.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By some means the shawl in question had accidentally become entangled--or perhaps been strained by the sudden uplifting of the arm of the wearer.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By some means the shawl in question had accidentally become entangled--or perhaps been strained by the sudden uplifting of the arm of the wearer.
placing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading By some means the shawl in question had accidentally become entangled--or perhaps been strained by the sudden uplifting of the arm of the wearer.
revelation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The revelation held me utterly dumfounded.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
SHADOWS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHADOWS.
shawl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
shawls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
silk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
slightest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By some means the shawl in question had accidentally become entangled--or perhaps been strained by the sudden uplifting of the arm of the wearer.
strain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
strained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By some means the shawl in question had accidentally become entangled--or perhaps been strained by the sudden uplifting of the arm of the wearer.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading By some means the shawl in question had accidentally become entangled--or perhaps been strained by the sudden uplifting of the arm of the wearer.
texture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The revelation held me utterly dumfounded.
thread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
tint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
unquestionably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
uplifting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By some means the shawl in question had accidentally become entangled--or perhaps been strained by the sudden uplifting of the arm of the wearer.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
utterly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The revelation held me utterly dumfounded.
wearer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By some means the shawl in question had accidentally become entangled--or perhaps been strained by the sudden uplifting of the arm of the wearer.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Already I had, by placing my hand in contact with the shawl, ascertained its exact texture, and saw that both its tint and its fabric were unquestionably the same as the knotted fragment I held in my hand.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chenille shawls, as every woman knows, must be handled carefully or the lightly-made fringe will come asunder; for the kind of cord of floss silk is generally made upon a single thread, which will break with the slightest strain.