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 HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "What hath procured to Brassington the honour of a message from Lady Patience Gascoyne?" he asked, motioning Bathurst to a chair, and seating himself behind his desk.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
awhile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Her ladyship herself is staying in the village," replied Jack, "but would desire her presence to remain unknown for awhile."
balls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
Bathurst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What hath procured to Brassington the honour of a message from Lady Patience Gascoyne?" he asked, motioning Bathurst to a chair, and seating himself behind his desk.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading "What hath procured to Brassington the honour of a message from Lady Patience Gascoyne?" he asked, motioning Bathurst to a chair, and seating himself behind his desk.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
bob-tail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
Brassington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What hath procured to Brassington the honour of a message from Lady Patience Gascoyne?" he asked, motioning Bathurst to a chair, and seating himself behind his desk.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Her ladyship herself is staying in the village," replied Jack, "but would desire her presence to remain unknown for awhile."
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came forward very politely to greet the courier of Lady Patience Gascoyne.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Owing to this he had retained a certain polish of manner not often met with in the English country gentry of those times.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What hath procured to Brassington the honour of a message from Lady Patience Gascoyne?" he asked, motioning Bathurst to a chair, and seating himself behind his desk.
countenance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Owing to this he had retained a certain polish of manner not often met with in the English country gentry of those times.
county
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
courier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came forward very politely to greet the courier of Lady Patience Gascoyne.
desire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Her ladyship herself is staying in the village," replied Jack, "but would desire her presence to remain unknown for awhile."
desk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What hath procured to Brassington the honour of a message from Lady Patience Gascoyne?" he asked, motioning Bathurst to a chair, and seating himself behind his desk.
elderly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Owing to this he had retained a certain polish of manner not often met with in the English country gentry of those times.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Her ladyship herself is staying in the village," replied Jack, "but would desire her presence to remain unknown for awhile."
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He came forward very politely to greet the courier of Lady Patience Gascoyne.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "What hath procured to Brassington the honour of a message from Lady Patience Gascoyne?" he asked, motioning Bathurst to a chair, and seating himself behind his desk.
Gascoyne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came forward very politely to greet the courier of Lady Patience Gascoyne.
gentry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Owing to this he had retained a certain polish of manner not often met with in the English country gentry of those times.
greet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came forward very politely to greet the courier of Lady Patience Gascoyne.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
hathauxiliary verbUS /hæθ/
an old form of “has”
From this reading "What hath procured to Brassington the honour of a message from Lady Patience Gascoyne?" he asked, motioning Bathurst to a chair, and seating himself behind his desk.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Her ladyship herself is staying in the village," replied Jack, "but would desire her presence to remain unknown for awhile."
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading "Her ladyship herself is staying in the village," replied Jack, "but would desire her presence to remain unknown for awhile."
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "What hath procured to Brassington the honour of a message from Lady Patience Gascoyne?" he asked, motioning Bathurst to a chair, and seating himself behind his desk.
HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
HONOUR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Her ladyship herself is staying in the village," replied Jack, "but would desire her presence to remain unknown for awhile."
Jack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Her ladyship herself is staying in the village," replied Jack, "but would desire her presence to remain unknown for awhile."
ladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
Lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came forward very politely to greet the courier of Lady Patience Gascoyne.
ladyship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Her ladyship herself is staying in the village," replied Jack, "but would desire her presence to remain unknown for awhile."
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Owing to this he had retained a certain polish of manner not often met with in the English country gentry of those times.
message
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What hath procured to Brassington the honour of a message from Lady Patience Gascoyne?" he asked, motioning Bathurst to a chair, and seating himself behind his desk.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Owing to this he had retained a certain polish of manner not often met with in the English country gentry of those times.
military
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
motioning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What hath procured to Brassington the honour of a message from Lady Patience Gascoyne?" he asked, motioning Bathurst to a chair, and seating himself behind his desk.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Owing to this he had retained a certain polish of manner not often met with in the English country gentry of those times.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Owing to this he had retained a certain polish of manner not often met with in the English country gentry of those times.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Owing to this he had retained a certain polish of manner not often met with in the English country gentry of those times.
Owing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Owing to this he had retained a certain polish of manner not often met with in the English country gentry of those times.
Patience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came forward very politely to greet the courier of Lady Patience Gascoyne.
petted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
pleasantnounUS /pleasant/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
polish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Owing to this he had retained a certain polish of manner not often met with in the English country gentry of those times.
politely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came forward very politely to greet the courier of Lady Patience Gascoyne.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
procured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What hath procured to Brassington the honour of a message from Lady Patience Gascoyne?" he asked, motioning Bathurst to a chair, and seating himself behind his desk.
reckoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
remain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Her ladyship herself is staying in the village," replied Jack, "but would desire her presence to remain unknown for awhile."
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Her ladyship herself is staying in the village," replied Jack, "but would desire her presence to remain unknown for awhile."
retained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Owing to this he had retained a certain polish of manner not often met with in the English country gentry of those times.
seating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What hath procured to Brassington the honour of a message from Lady Patience Gascoyne?" he asked, motioning Bathurst to a chair, and seating himself behind his desk.
SQUIRE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
staying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Her ladyship herself is staying in the village," replied Jack, "but would desire her presence to remain unknown for awhile."
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Owing to this he had retained a certain polish of manner not often met with in the English country gentry of those times.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Owing to this he had retained a certain polish of manner not often met with in the English country gentry of those times.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Owing to this he had retained a certain polish of manner not often met with in the English country gentry of those times.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Owing to this he had retained a certain polish of manner not often met with in the English country gentry of those times.
unknown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Her ladyship herself is staying in the village," replied Jack, "but would desire her presence to remain unknown for awhile."
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came forward very politely to greet the courier of Lady Patience Gascoyne.
village
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Her ladyship herself is staying in the village," replied Jack, "but would desire her presence to remain unknown for awhile."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
well-favoured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
WEST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What hath procured to Brassington the honour of a message from Lady Patience Gascoyne?" he asked, motioning Bathurst to a chair, and seating himself behind his desk.
wig
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "Her ladyship herself is staying in the village," replied Jack, "but would desire her presence to remain unknown for awhile."
youth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS HONOUR, SQUIRE WEST Squire West was an elderly man, with a fine military presence and a pleasant countenance beneath his bob-tail wig: in his youth he had been reckoned well-favoured, and had been much petted by the ladies at the county balls.
