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 Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Duncan's penetration had been correct--the difficult and painful London journey was all in vain.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Old Duncan's penetration had been correct--the difficult and painful London journey was all in vain.
arm-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Old Duncan's penetration had been correct--the difficult and painful London journey was all in vain.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Lord Cairnforth had returned home neither better nor worse than he was before; the experiment had failed.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Cairnforth had returned home neither better nor worse than he was before; the experiment had failed.
Cairnforth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Cairnforth had returned home neither better nor worse than he was before; the experiment had failed.
Cardross
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is that you, Mr. Cardross?
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
correct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Duncan's penetration had been correct--the difficult and painful London journey was all in vain.
difficult
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Duncan's penetration had been correct--the difficult and painful London journey was all in vain.
Duncan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Duncan's penetration had been correct--the difficult and painful London journey was all in vain.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
experiment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Cairnforth had returned home neither better nor worse than he was before; the experiment had failed.
failed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Cairnforth had returned home neither better nor worse than he was before; the experiment had failed.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
favorite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
guessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Old Duncan's penetration had been correct--the difficult and painful London journey was all in vain.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lord Cairnforth had returned home neither better nor worse than he was before; the experiment had failed.
Helen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Cairnforth had returned home neither better nor worse than he was before; the experiment had failed.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Old Duncan's penetration had been correct--the difficult and painful London journey was all in vain.
Isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Is that you, Mr. Cardross?
journeynounUS /ˈjourney/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Old Duncan's penetration had been correct--the difficult and painful London journey was all in vain.
library
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Duncan's penetration had been correct--the difficult and painful London journey was all in vain.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
Lord
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Cairnforth had returned home neither better nor worse than he was before; the experiment had failed.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is that you, Mr. Cardross?
natural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Lord Cairnforth had returned home neither better nor worse than he was before; the experiment had failed.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Lord Cairnforth had returned home neither better nor worse than he was before; the experiment had failed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
Old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Duncan's penetration had been correct--the difficult and painful London journey was all in vain.
painful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Duncan's penetration had been correct--the difficult and painful London journey was all in vain.
penetration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Duncan's penetration had been correct--the difficult and painful London journey was all in vain.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Lord Cairnforth had returned home neither better nor worse than he was before; the experiment had failed.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
smile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Lord Cairnforth had returned home neither better nor worse than he was before; the experiment had failed.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Is that you, Mr. Cardross?
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Old Duncan's penetration had been correct--the difficult and painful London journey was all in vain.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Helen too?
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
vain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Duncan's penetration had been correct--the difficult and painful London journey was all in vain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Old Duncan's penetration had been correct--the difficult and painful London journey was all in vain.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Helen and her father guessed this from their first sight of him, though they had found him sitting as usual in his arm-chair at his favorite corner, and when they entered the library he had looked up with a smile --the same old smile, as natural as though he had never been away.
worse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Cairnforth had returned home neither better nor worse than he was before; the experiment had failed.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Is that you, Mr. Cardross?
