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 While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
affairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.
AREauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading PHOENICIANS ARE RISING.
arranged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.
backs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.
Bramah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
brother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.
centre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
chairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
clerk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
closest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.
cover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
crimson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
cylinder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
desk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
distinguished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
distractingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.
drawers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪd/
prepared and equipped for a particular purpose
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
furnished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.
George
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.
handsomely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.
Hawkehurst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
innumerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
invisible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
limits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.
locks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
mahogany
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
Marylebone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
Matthias-in-the-fields
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
morocco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
neat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
official
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.
padded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
parish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
Philip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.
PHOENICIANS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PHOENICIANS ARE RISING.
ponderous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.
pretext
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.
primly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
ranged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
RISING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PHOENICIANS ARE RISING.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
seats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
Sheldon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
Sheldon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.
simplest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.
Spanish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.
stockbroker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A Spanish mahogany desk with a cylinder cover, and innumerable drawers fitted with invisible Bramah locks, occupied the centre of the room; and four ponderous Spanish mahogany chairs, with padded backs, and seats covered with crimson morocco, were primly ranged against the wall.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The pretext of writing a letter was the simplest pretext for being alone in his brother's room; and to be alone in Philip Sheldon's room was the first step in the business which George had to do.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The room was distractingly neat, and as handsomely furnished as it is possible for an office to be within the closest official limits.
writing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Mr. Hawkehurst arranged his affairs with the clerk of St. Matthias-in-the-fields, in the parish of Marylebone, George Sheldon sat in his brother's office writing a letter to that distinguished stockbroker.
