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 they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
announced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.
appointed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
assisted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
banquet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.
blind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
Cambyses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
carpet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.
ceremonies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
chamberlains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
Croesus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
flourish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
golden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
guests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
higher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
Kassandane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.
king
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
marked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.
masters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
multitude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.
noble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
principal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
purple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.
repeatednounUS /repeated/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.
Sardian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.
seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.
shout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
staff-bearers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
steward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
throne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
thundering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
trodden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.
trumpets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.
Victory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.