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 When the interesting conversation which has been narrated began, it was a quarter before three in the afternoon.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading When the interesting conversation which has been narrated began, it was a quarter before three in the afternoon.
All
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All this time the two comrades did not exchange a single word.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “I think, on the whole, that you are right, Van Tricasse.”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When the interesting conversation which has been narrated began, it was a quarter before three in the afternoon.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading When the interesting conversation which has been narrated began, it was a quarter before three in the afternoon.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When the interesting conversation which has been narrated began, it was a quarter before three in the afternoon.
burgomaster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
comradesnounUS /ˈkɑːmrædz/
people who share difficult work or danger, especially soldiers
From this reading All this time the two comrades did not exchange a single word.
conversation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the interesting conversation which has been narrated began, it was a quarter before three in the afternoon.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
counsellor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
decide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading All this time the two comrades did not exchange a single word.
enormous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
exchange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All this time the two comrades did not exchange a single word.
finished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
habit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When the interesting conversation which has been narrated began, it was a quarter before three in the afternoon.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I think, on the whole, that you are right, Van Tricasse.”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When the interesting conversation which has been narrated began, it was a quarter before three in the afternoon.
interesting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the interesting conversation which has been narrated began, it was a quarter before three in the afternoon.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When the interesting conversation which has been narrated began, it was a quarter before three in the afternoon.
lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
narrated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the interesting conversation which has been narrated began, it was a quarter before three in the afternoon.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading All this time the two comrades did not exchange a single word.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “I think, on the whole, that you are right, Van Tricasse.”
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
pipe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
quart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
quarter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the interesting conversation which has been narrated began, it was a quarter before three in the afternoon.
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
resumednounUS /ˈresumed/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I think, on the whole, that you are right, Van Tricasse.”
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All this time the two comrades did not exchange a single word.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
speaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
summary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the interesting conversation which has been narrated began, it was a quarter before three in the afternoon.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I think, on the whole, that you are right, Van Tricasse.”
thirty-five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading All this time the two comrades did not exchange a single word.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the interesting conversation which has been narrated began, it was a quarter before three in the afternoon.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All this time the two comrades did not exchange a single word.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
tobacconounUS /ˈtobacco/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
Tricasse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All this time the two comrades did not exchange a single word.
Van
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at a quarter before four that Van Tricasse lighted his enormous pipe, which could hold a quart of tobacco, and it was at thirty-five minutes past five that he finished smoking it.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When the interesting conversation which has been narrated began, it was a quarter before three in the afternoon.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When the interesting conversation which has been narrated began, it was a quarter before three in the afternoon.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When the interesting conversation which has been narrated began, it was a quarter before three in the afternoon.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I think, on the whole, that you are right, Van Tricasse.”
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All this time the two comrades did not exchange a single word.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About six o’clock the counsellor, who had a habit of speaking in a very summary manner, resumed in these words,— “So we decide—” “To decide nothing,” replied the burgomaster.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I think, on the whole, that you are right, Van Tricasse.”
