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 For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Ethan was instantly awake, and coughing, almost strangling, stared wildly about him.
AFTERprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading AFTER THE TRAGEDY.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ethan was instantly awake, and coughing, almost strangling, stared wildly about him.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
audience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
awake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ethan was instantly awake, and coughing, almost strangling, stared wildly about him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Leaning forward, he quickly dropped into the wide-open mouth of the slumbering boatman one of his choicest bits, and before Jock could touch the man, the explosion came.
bits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaning forward, he quickly dropped into the wide-open mouth of the slumbering boatman one of his choicest bits, and before Jock could touch the man, the explosion came.
boatman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaning forward, he quickly dropped into the wide-open mouth of the slumbering boatman one of his choicest bits, and before Jock could touch the man, the explosion came.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaning forward, he quickly dropped into the wide-open mouth of the slumbering boatman one of his choicest bits, and before Jock could touch the man, the explosion came.
choicest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaning forward, he quickly dropped into the wide-open mouth of the slumbering boatman one of his choicest bits, and before Jock could touch the man, the explosion came.
coughing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ethan was instantly awake, and coughing, almost strangling, stared wildly about him.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
dropped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaning forward, he quickly dropped into the wide-open mouth of the slumbering boatman one of his choicest bits, and before Jock could touch the man, the explosion came.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
Ethan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a sudden violent burst of sound or force
From this reading Leaning forward, he quickly dropped into the wide-open mouth of the slumbering boatman one of his choicest bits, and before Jock could touch the man, the explosion came.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Leaning forward, he quickly dropped into the wide-open mouth of the slumbering boatman one of his choicest bits, and before Jock could touch the man, the explosion came.
giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
Hamlick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Leaning forward, he quickly dropped into the wide-open mouth of the slumbering boatman one of his choicest bits, and before Jock could touch the man, the explosion came.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Ethan was instantly awake, and coughing, almost strangling, stared wildly about him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
ignored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
instantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ethan was instantly awake, and coughing, almost strangling, stared wildly about him.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Leaning forward, he quickly dropped into the wide-open mouth of the slumbering boatman one of his choicest bits, and before Jock could touch the man, the explosion came.
Jock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaning forward, he quickly dropped into the wide-open mouth of the slumbering boatman one of his choicest bits, and before Jock could touch the man, the explosion came.
lad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
Leaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaning forward, he quickly dropped into the wide-open mouth of the slumbering boatman one of his choicest bits, and before Jock could touch the man, the explosion came.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaning forward, he quickly dropped into the wide-open mouth of the slumbering boatman one of his choicest bits, and before Jock could touch the man, the explosion came.
mark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
mischievous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaning forward, he quickly dropped into the wide-open mouth of the slumbering boatman one of his choicest bits, and before Jock could touch the man, the explosion came.
noisy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
observed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
observers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
peanuts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
performance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
pessimistic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
presented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
quickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaning forward, he quickly dropped into the wide-open mouth of the slumbering boatman one of his choicest bits, and before Jock could touch the man, the explosion came.
regaling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
resist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
slumbering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaning forward, he quickly dropped into the wide-open mouth of the slumbering boatman one of his choicest bits, and before Jock could touch the man, the explosion came.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
spirit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
stage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
stared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ethan was instantly awake, and coughing, almost strangling, stared wildly about him.
strangling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ethan was instantly awake, and coughing, almost strangling, stared wildly about him.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AFTER THE TRAGEDY.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
touch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaning forward, he quickly dropped into the wide-open mouth of the slumbering boatman one of his choicest bits, and before Jock could touch the man, the explosion came.
TRAGEDY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE TRAGEDY.
utterance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
views
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For a moment even the somewhat pessimistic views to which Hamlick was giving utterance on the stage were ignored by the audience, and the noisy boatman was the observed of all observers.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
wide-open
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaning forward, he quickly dropped into the wide-open mouth of the slumbering boatman one of his choicest bits, and before Jock could touch the man, the explosion came.
wildly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ethan was instantly awake, and coughing, almost strangling, stared wildly about him.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
youthful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mischievous lad had been one of those who had been regaling themselves during the performance with peanuts, and the mark which Ethan presented was more than his youthful spirit could resist.
