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 In the course of the afternoon, Godwin sat down to pen the rough draft of a letter to Lady Whitelaw.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In the course of the afternoon, Godwin sat down to pen the rough draft of a letter to Lady Whitelaw.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not easy, at his time of life, to compress into the limits of an ordinary epistle all he wished to say to the widow of his benefactor.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was not easy, at his time of life, to compress into the limits of an ordinary epistle all he wished to say to the widow of his benefactor.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When the first difficulties were surmounted, he wrote rapidly, and at considerable length.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When the first difficulties were surmounted, he wrote rapidly, and at considerable length.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
benefactor
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From this reading It was not easy, at his time of life, to compress into the limits of an ordinary epistle all he wished to say to the widow of his benefactor.
change
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From this reading This had to be done without confession of the reasons for his change of plan; he could not even hint at them.
College
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From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
compress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not easy, at his time of life, to compress into the limits of an ordinary epistle all he wished to say to the widow of his benefactor.
confession
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From this reading This had to be done without confession of the reasons for his change of plan; he could not even hint at them.
considerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the first difficulties were surmounted, he wrote rapidly, and at considerable length.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the course of the afternoon, Godwin sat down to pen the rough draft of a letter to Lady Whitelaw.
difficulties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the first difficulties were surmounted, he wrote rapidly, and at considerable length.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This had to be done without confession of the reasons for his change of plan; he could not even hint at them.
down
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From this reading In the course of the afternoon, Godwin sat down to pen the rough draft of a letter to Lady Whitelaw.
draft
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From this reading In the course of the afternoon, Godwin sat down to pen the rough draft of a letter to Lady Whitelaw.
easy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not easy, at his time of life, to compress into the limits of an ordinary epistle all he wished to say to the widow of his benefactor.
epistle
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From this reading It was not easy, at his time of life, to compress into the limits of an ordinary epistle all he wished to say to the widow of his benefactor.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This had to be done without confession of the reasons for his change of plan; he could not even hint at them.
firmly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When the first difficulties were surmounted, he wrote rapidly, and at considerable length.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This had to be done without confession of the reasons for his change of plan; he could not even hint at them.
furthermore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
Godwin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the course of the afternoon, Godwin sat down to pen the rough draft of a letter to Lady Whitelaw.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This had to be done without confession of the reasons for his change of plan; he could not even hint at them.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When the first difficulties were surmounted, he wrote rapidly, and at considerable length.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
hint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This had to be done without confession of the reasons for his change of plan; he could not even hint at them.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was not easy, at his time of life, to compress into the limits of an ordinary epistle all he wished to say to the widow of his benefactor.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the course of the afternoon, Godwin sat down to pen the rough draft of a letter to Lady Whitelaw.
inform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was not easy, at his time of life, to compress into the limits of an ordinary epistle all he wished to say to the widow of his benefactor.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not easy, at his time of life, to compress into the limits of an ordinary epistle all he wished to say to the widow of his benefactor.
Kingsmill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
Lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the course of the afternoon, Godwin sat down to pen the rough draft of a letter to Lady Whitelaw.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading When the first difficulties were surmounted, he wrote rapidly, and at considerable length.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the course of the afternoon, Godwin sat down to pen the rough draft of a letter to Lady Whitelaw.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was not easy, at his time of life, to compress into the limits of an ordinary epistle all he wished to say to the widow of his benefactor.
limits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not easy, at his time of life, to compress into the limits of an ordinary epistle all he wished to say to the widow of his benefactor.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
Mines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
money
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not easy, at his time of life, to compress into the limits of an ordinary epistle all he wished to say to the widow of his benefactor.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the course of the afternoon, Godwin sat down to pen the rough draft of a letter to Lady Whitelaw.
ordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not easy, at his time of life, to compress into the limits of an ordinary epistle all he wished to say to the widow of his benefactor.
pen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the course of the afternoon, Godwin sat down to pen the rough draft of a letter to Lady Whitelaw.
permit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
plan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This had to be done without confession of the reasons for his change of plan; he could not even hint at them.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
promised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
proposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
rapidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the first difficulties were surmounted, he wrote rapidly, and at considerable length.
reasonsnounUS /ˈreasons/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading This had to be done without confession of the reasons for his change of plan; he could not even hint at them.
request
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
respect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
rough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the course of the afternoon, Godwin sat down to pen the rough draft of a letter to Lady Whitelaw.
Royal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the course of the afternoon, Godwin sat down to pen the rough draft of a letter to Lady Whitelaw.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not easy, at his time of life, to compress into the limits of an ordinary epistle all he wished to say to the widow of his benefactor.
School
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
spend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
student
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
sum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
surmounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the first difficulties were surmounted, he wrote rapidly, and at considerable length.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the course of the afternoon, Godwin sat down to pen the rough draft of a letter to Lady Whitelaw.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading This had to be done without confession of the reasons for his change of plan; he could not even hint at them.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This had to be done without confession of the reasons for his change of plan; he could not even hint at them.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was not easy, at his time of life, to compress into the limits of an ordinary epistle all he wished to say to the widow of his benefactor.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the course of the afternoon, Godwin sat down to pen the rough draft of a letter to Lady Whitelaw.
using
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not easy, at his time of life, to compress into the limits of an ordinary epistle all he wished to say to the widow of his benefactor.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When the first difficulties were surmounted, he wrote rapidly, and at considerable length.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When the first difficulties were surmounted, he wrote rapidly, and at considerable length.
Whitelaw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the course of the afternoon, Godwin sat down to pen the rough draft of a letter to Lady Whitelaw.
widow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not easy, at his time of life, to compress into the limits of an ordinary epistle all he wished to say to the widow of his benefactor.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not easy, at his time of life, to compress into the limits of an ordinary epistle all he wished to say to the widow of his benefactor.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading This had to be done without confession of the reasons for his change of plan; he could not even hint at them.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
wrote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the first difficulties were surmounted, he wrote rapidly, and at considerable length.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading His purpose was, with all possible respect yet as firmly as might be, to inform Lady Whitelaw that he could not spend the last of his proposed three years at the College in Kingsmill, and furthermore to request of her that she would permit his using the promised sum of money as a student at the Royal School of Mines.
