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 I tried bribery, desiring to get a short note through to the British Consul-General, and, although my bribe was willingly accepted, I found later that the missive was never sent.
accepted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tried bribery, desiring to get a short note through to the British Consul-General, and, although my bribe was willingly accepted, I found later that the missive was never sent.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I tried bribery, desiring to get a short note through to the British Consul-General, and, although my bribe was willingly accepted, I found later that the missive was never sent.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rambling around the vast precincts of the Palace, trying to discover any loophole of escape, I came upon our escort and the ponies which had brought us from the port to the capital.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The gates were very thoroughly guarded, and short of force there seemed to be no method of penetrating into the city.
bribe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tried bribery, desiring to get a short note through to the British Consul-General, and, although my bribe was willingly accepted, I found later that the missive was never sent.
bribery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tried bribery, desiring to get a short note through to the British Consul-General, and, although my bribe was willingly accepted, I found later that the missive was never sent.
British
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tried bribery, desiring to get a short note through to the British Consul-General, and, although my bribe was willingly accepted, I found later that the missive was never sent.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Rambling around the vast precincts of the Palace, trying to discover any loophole of escape, I came upon our escort and the ponies which had brought us from the port to the capital.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rambling around the vast precincts of the Palace, trying to discover any loophole of escape, I came upon our escort and the ponies which had brought us from the port to the capital.
capital
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rambling around the vast precincts of the Palace, trying to discover any loophole of escape, I came upon our escort and the ponies which had brought us from the port to the capital.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gates were very thoroughly guarded, and short of force there seemed to be no method of penetrating into the city.
Consul-General
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tried bribery, desiring to get a short note through to the British Consul-General, and, although my bribe was willingly accepted, I found later that the missive was never sent.
cordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
cup
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From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
desiring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tried bribery, desiring to get a short note through to the British Consul-General, and, although my bribe was willingly accepted, I found later that the missive was never sent.
discover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rambling around the vast precincts of the Palace, trying to discover any loophole of escape, I came upon our escort and the ponies which had brought us from the port to the capital.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I found that the Prime Minister had done his work well.
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
escape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rambling around the vast precincts of the Palace, trying to discover any loophole of escape, I came upon our escort and the ponies which had brought us from the port to the capital.
escort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rambling around the vast precincts of the Palace, trying to discover any loophole of escape, I came upon our escort and the ponies which had brought us from the port to the capital.
excused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
fallen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
finished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
force
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gates were very thoroughly guarded, and short of force there seemed to be no method of penetrating into the city.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I found that the Prime Minister had done his work well.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Rambling around the vast precincts of the Palace, trying to discover any loophole of escape, I came upon our escort and the ponies which had brought us from the port to the capital.
gates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gates were very thoroughly guarded, and short of force there seemed to be no method of penetrating into the city.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tried bribery, desiring to get a short note through to the British Consul-General, and, although my bribe was willingly accepted, I found later that the missive was never sent.
guarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gates were very thoroughly guarded, and short of force there seemed to be no method of penetrating into the city.
habit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
Hemsters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I found that the Prime Minister had done his work well.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tried bribery, desiring to get a short note through to the British Consul-General, and, although my bribe was willingly accepted, I found later that the missive was never sent.
learn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
loopholenounUS /ˈloophole/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Rambling around the vast precincts of the Palace, trying to discover any loophole of escape, I came upon our escort and the ponies which had brought us from the port to the capital.
method
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gates were very thoroughly guarded, and short of force there seemed to be no method of penetrating into the city.
Minister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I found that the Prime Minister had done his work well.
missive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tried bribery, desiring to get a short note through to the British Consul-General, and, although my bribe was willingly accepted, I found later that the missive was never sent.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I tried bribery, desiring to get a short note through to the British Consul-General, and, although my bribe was willingly accepted, I found later that the missive was never sent.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I tried bribery, desiring to get a short note through to the British Consul-General, and, although my bribe was willingly accepted, I found later that the missive was never sent.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The gates were very thoroughly guarded, and short of force there seemed to be no method of penetrating into the city.
note
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tried bribery, desiring to get a short note through to the British Consul-General, and, although my bribe was willingly accepted, I found later that the missive was never sent.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Rambling around the vast precincts of the Palace, trying to discover any loophole of escape, I came upon our escort and the ponies which had brought us from the port to the capital.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
Palace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rambling around the vast precincts of the Palace, trying to discover any loophole of escape, I came upon our escort and the ponies which had brought us from the port to the capital.
penetrating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gates were very thoroughly guarded, and short of force there seemed to be no method of penetrating into the city.
ponies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rambling around the vast precincts of the Palace, trying to discover any loophole of escape, I came upon our escort and the ponies which had brought us from the port to the capital.
port
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rambling around the vast precincts of the Palace, trying to discover any loophole of escape, I came upon our escort and the ponies which had brought us from the port to the capital.
precincts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rambling around the vast precincts of the Palace, trying to discover any loophole of escape, I came upon our escort and the ponies which had brought us from the port to the capital.
Prime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I found that the Prime Minister had done his work well.
Rambling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rambling around the vast precincts of the Palace, trying to discover any loophole of escape, I came upon our escort and the ponies which had brought us from the port to the capital.
refreshing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The gates were very thoroughly guarded, and short of force there seemed to be no method of penetrating into the city.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tried bribery, desiring to get a short note through to the British Consul-General, and, although my bribe was willingly accepted, I found later that the missive was never sent.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading The gates were very thoroughly guarded, and short of force there seemed to be no method of penetrating into the city.
strict
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
tea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I found that the Prime Minister had done his work well.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gates were very thoroughly guarded, and short of force there seemed to be no method of penetrating into the city.
thoroughly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gates were very thoroughly guarded, and short of force there seemed to be no method of penetrating into the city.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I tried bribery, desiring to get a short note through to the British Consul-General, and, although my bribe was willingly accepted, I found later that the missive was never sent.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tried bribery, desiring to get a short note through to the British Consul-General, and, although my bribe was willingly accepted, I found later that the missive was never sent.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rambling around the vast precincts of the Palace, trying to discover any loophole of escape, I came upon our escort and the ponies which had brought us from the port to the capital.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Rambling around the vast precincts of the Palace, trying to discover any loophole of escape, I came upon our escort and the ponies which had brought us from the port to the capital.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rambling around the vast precincts of the Palace, trying to discover any loophole of escape, I came upon our escort and the ponies which had brought us from the port to the capital.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gates were very thoroughly guarded, and short of force there seemed to be no method of penetrating into the city.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I found that the Prime Minister had done his work well.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Hemsters had fallen into the English habit of afternoon tea, and, having finished the refreshing cup, I excused myself and went outside to learn how strict the cordon around us was kept.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The gates were very thoroughly guarded, and short of force there seemed to be no method of penetrating into the city.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Rambling around the vast precincts of the Palace, trying to discover any loophole of escape, I came upon our escort and the ponies which had brought us from the port to the capital.
willingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tried bribery, desiring to get a short note through to the British Consul-General, and, although my bribe was willingly accepted, I found later that the missive was never sent.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I found that the Prime Minister had done his work well.
