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 afternoon was drawing to its close when a carriage halted in front of the Fontenay house.
address
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask him in," he said, for he recalled having given his address to a lapidary for the delivery of a purchase.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The afternoon was drawing to its close when a carriage halted in front of the Fontenay house.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
Ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask him in," he said, for he recalled having given his address to a lapidary for the delivery of a purchase.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
bell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
breakfastingverbUS /ˈbrɛkfəstɪŋ/
eating the morning meal in a specific situation in this story
From this reading They informed their master, who was breakfasting.
buckler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
carriage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The afternoon was drawing to its close when a carriage halted in front of the Fontenay house.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The afternoon was drawing to its close when a carriage halted in front of the Fontenay house.
concealed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
deliver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
delivery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask him in," he said, for he recalled having given his address to a lapidary for the delivery of a purchase.
Des
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
drawing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The afternoon was drawing to its close when a carriage halted in front of the Fontenay house.
Esseintes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
Fontenay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The afternoon was drawing to its close when a carriage halted in front of the Fontenay house.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Ask him in," he said, for he recalled having given his address to a lapidary for the delivery of a purchase.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The afternoon was drawing to its close when a carriage halted in front of the Fontenay house.
furiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask him in," he said, for he recalled having given his address to a lapidary for the delivery of a purchase.
gold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
halted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The afternoon was drawing to its close when a carriage halted in front of the Fontenay house.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Ask him in," he said, for he recalled having given his address to a lapidary for the delivery of a purchase.
hesitated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Ask him in," he said, for he recalled having given his address to a lapidary for the delivery of a purchase.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Ask him in," he said, for he recalled having given his address to a lapidary for the delivery of a purchase.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The afternoon was drawing to its close when a carriage halted in front of the Fontenay house.
immense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The afternoon was drawing to its close when a carriage halted in front of the Fontenay house.
informed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They informed their master, who was breakfasting.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The afternoon was drawing to its close when a carriage halted in front of the Fontenay house.
lapidary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask him in," he said, for he recalled having given his address to a lapidary for the delivery of a purchase.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
magazines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They informed their master, who was breakfasting.
neck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The afternoon was drawing to its close when a carriage halted in front of the Fontenay house.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
papers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
parts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
peep-hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
peered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
perceived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
postman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
purchase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask him in," he said, for he recalled having given his address to a lapidary for the delivery of a purchase.
recalled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask him in," he said, for he recalled having given his address to a lapidary for the delivery of a purchase.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
rung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ask him in," he said, for he recalled having given his address to a lapidary for the delivery of a purchase.
servants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The afternoon was drawing to its close when a carriage halted in front of the Fontenay house.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They informed their master, who was breakfasting.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The afternoon was drawing to its close when a carriage halted in front of the Fontenay house.
uninhabited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
ventured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
visitors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Des Esseintes received no visitors, and since the postman never even ventured into these uninhabited parts, having no occasion to deliver any papers, magazines or letters, the servants hesitated before opening the door.
waist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as the bell was rung furiously again, they peered through the peep-hole cut into the wall, and perceived a man, concealed, from neck to waist, behind an immense gold buckler.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The afternoon was drawing to its close when a carriage halted in front of the Fontenay house.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The afternoon was drawing to its close when a carriage halted in front of the Fontenay house.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading They informed their master, who was breakfasting.
