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 THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
Alexander's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "With Mr. and Mrs. David Alexander's compliments," was printed on it, and Pete leered triumphantly at us as it went the round.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "With Mr. and Mrs. David Alexander's compliments," was printed on it, and Pete leered triumphantly at us as it went the round.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Weel, what think ye?" he asked, with a pretence at modesty.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
backs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
BEAUTY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
belonged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
boring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
bucket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
card
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pete was passing round a card, and in time it reached me.
Circumstances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
compliments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "With Mr. and Mrs. David Alexander's compliments," was printed on it, and Pete leered triumphantly at us as it went the round.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
David
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "With Mr. and Mrs. David Alexander's compliments," was printed on it, and Pete leered triumphantly at us as it went the round.
Elshioner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
eye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
gathering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
Haggart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Weel, what think ye?" he asked, with a pretence at modesty.
Hendry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
honour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Pete was passing round a card, and in time it reached me.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
leered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "With Mr. and Mrs. David Alexander's compliments," was printed on it, and Pete leered triumphantly at us as it went the round.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Pete was passing round a card, and in time it reached me.
mental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
modesty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Weel, what think ye?" he asked, with a pretence at modesty.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "With Mr. and Mrs. David Alexander's compliments," was printed on it, and Pete leered triumphantly at us as it went the round.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "With Mr. and Mrs. David Alexander's compliments," was printed on it, and Pete leered triumphantly at us as it went the round.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
passing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pete was passing round a card, and in time it reached me.
Pete
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
pig
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
pig-sty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
POWER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
powersnounUS /powers/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
pretence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Weel, what think ye?" he asked, with a pretence at modesty.
printednounUS /printed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "With Mr. and Mrs. David Alexander's compliments," was printed on it, and Pete leered triumphantly at us as it went the round.
pushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pete was passing round a card, and in time it reached me.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pete was passing round a card, and in time it reached me.
sarcastic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
sullenly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
Tammas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Weel, what think ye?" he asked, with a pretence at modesty.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Pete was passing round a card, and in time it reached me.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
triumphantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "With Mr. and Mrs. David Alexander's compliments," was printed on it, and Pete leered triumphantly at us as it went the round.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "With Mr. and Mrs. David Alexander's compliments," was printed on it, and Pete leered triumphantly at us as it went the round.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE POWER OF BEAUTY One evening there was such a gathering at the pig-sty that Hendry and I could not get a board to lay our backs against.
Weel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Weel, what think ye?" he asked, with a pretence at modesty.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "With Mr. and Mrs. David Alexander's compliments," was printed on it, and Pete leered triumphantly at us as it went the round.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Weel, what think ye?" he asked, with a pretence at modesty.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Circumstances had pushed Pete Elshioner into the place of honour that belonged by right of mental powers to Tammas Haggart, and Tammas was sitting rather sullenly on the bucket, boring a hole in the pig with his sarcastic eye.
yepronounUS /jiː/
an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person
From this reading "Weel, what think ye?" he asked, with a pretence at modesty.