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 AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I daresay she would not have been at all surprised if I had ordered her out again.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I daresay she would not have been at all surprised if I had ordered her out again.
ANdeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I daresay she would not have been at all surprised if I had ordered her out again.
bell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
Berdenstein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I had followed my first impulse I should certainly have done so.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
COMPACT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
daresay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I daresay she would not have been at all surprised if I had ordered her out again.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If I had followed my first impulse I should certainly have done so.
drawing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
easily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She entered nervously, as though uncertain as to how I should receive her.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If I had followed my first impulse I should certainly have done so.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I had followed my first impulse I should certainly have done so.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I daresay she would not have been at all surprised if I had ordered her out again.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She entered nervously, as though uncertain as to how I should receive her.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She entered nervously, as though uncertain as to how I should receive her.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
imagined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
impulsenounUS /ˈɪmpʌls/
a sudden strong desire to act
From this reading If I had followed my first impulse I should certainly have done so.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
nervously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She entered nervously, as though uncertain as to how I should receive her.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
novel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
Olive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
ordered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I daresay she would not have been at all surprised if I had ordered her out again.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I daresay she would not have been at all surprised if I had ordered her out again.
pretending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
rate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
receive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She entered nervously, as though uncertain as to how I should receive her.
ring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading She entered nervously, as though uncertain as to how I should receive her.
shown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading If I had followed my first impulse I should certainly have done so.
stupid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I daresay she would not have been at all surprised if I had ordered her out again.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading She entered nervously, as though uncertain as to how I should receive her.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
timid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
uncertain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She entered nervously, as though uncertain as to how I should receive her.
UNHOLY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNHOLY COMPACT As may easily be imagined I had seen quite enough of Olive Berdenstein for one day at any rate, if not for a long time to come.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But to my surprise, on that same afternoon, as I sat in our little drawing room pretending to read a stupid novel, there was a timid ring at the bell, and she was shown into the room.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I daresay she would not have been at all surprised if I had ordered her out again.
