Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
acquaintance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An acquaintance of mine met me under the archway of Monks' Gate.
AndeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An acquaintance of mine met me under the archway of Monks' Gate.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
archway
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From this reading An acquaintance of mine met me under the archway of Monks' Gate.
ascertained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He wrung my hand and looked at me with great compassion.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It seemed incredible that Lilian could wander far without being observed.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
carriage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
compassion
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From this reading He wrung my hand and looked at me with great compassion.
consumed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
conveyance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It seemed incredible that Lilian could wander far without being observed.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
disappearance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
fail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
faint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed incredible that Lilian could wander far without being observed.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
Gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An acquaintance of mine met me under the archway of Monks' Gate.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wrung my hand and looked at me with great compassion.
greater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wrung my hand and looked at me with great compassion.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He wrung my hand and looked at me with great compassion.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
hired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
hopes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
incredible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed incredible that Lilian could wander far without being observed.
inquiries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed incredible that Lilian could wander far without being observed.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
Lilian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed incredible that Lilian could wander far without being observed.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wrung my hand and looked at me with great compassion.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading An acquaintance of mine met me under the archway of Monks' Gate.
meanwhilenounUS /ˈmeanwhile/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An acquaintance of mine met me under the archway of Monks' Gate.
minepronounUS /maɪn/
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading An acquaintance of mine met me under the archway of Monks' Gate.
Monks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An acquaintance of mine met me under the archway of Monks' Gate.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading He wrung my hand and looked at me with great compassion.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
observed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed incredible that Lilian could wander far without being observed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
railway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed incredible that Lilian could wander far without being observed.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
spread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It seemed incredible that Lilian could wander far without being observed.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon ascertained that she had not gone away by the railway--by any public conveyance--had hired no carriage; she must therefore be still in the town, or have left it on foot.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading An acquaintance of mine met me under the archway of Monks' Gate.
unsuccessful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
wander
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed incredible that Lilian could wander far without being observed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He wrung my hand and looked at me with great compassion.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It seemed incredible that Lilian could wander far without being observed.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The greater part of the day was consumed in unsuccessful inquiries, and faint hopes that she would return; meanwhile the news of her disappearance had spread: how could such news fail to do so?
wrung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wrung my hand and looked at me with great compassion.
